IT'S MONDAY, DECEMBER 5. THE TOP STORY ON MIDDAY EDITION. PROTESTERS AT STANDING ROCK IN NORTH DAKOTA GOT SOME VERY WELCOME NEWS OVER THE WEEKEND. THE U.S. ARMY WERE ENGINEERS REFUSED PERMISSION FOR THE DAKOTA ACCESS PIPELINE TO CROSS UNDER A RESERVOIR WHICH PROTESTERS SAY THREATEN THE DRINKING WATER. THAT DOESN'T MEAN THE PROTEST WHICH HAS BROUGHT THOUSANDS TO THE SNOWY AND WINDSWEPT NORTH DAKOTA PLANTS IS OVER. IN FACT JUST RECENTLY A COUPLE OF THOUSAND US VETERANS HAVE ARRIVED AT THE CAMERA AND to provide security for the protesters. Also back at standing rock is Robert Wallace of the corona band of Mission Indians who I spoke with last week. Robert welcome back to the program. What was the reaction at standing rock as news about the Army Corps of Engineers decision got around the encampment. I woke up in the morning to the sounds of cars coming in, my gosh, there was somewhere around 3500 veterans that showed up. There were lines and lines of cars coming in. We walked around, we were getting a feel of the camp, we went to seeing by the flag and they came up with the news. The permit was denied. A total positive energy in the air. You could feel it, it was huge. It might not last. The company says, it will not reroute the pipeline. Now that the protesters know that, do they intend to stay at the encampment? Yes there are a great number of people that said they will stay. We will just see what happens. You never know was going to come from those guys they by day. Today might be peaceful and then tomorrow they might be -- began doing what they're doing best and we just pray and hope no one gets hurt. This is a nonviolent action so we will just take it day by day. There was news last week that we talked about, when you were here, local authorities withhold access to supplies for protesters. Has that happened? There have been people, stuff has been confiscated. When we took out generators for the burning Sanders date, they came through and trashed everything, which means they tore down spray-painted teepees and took away sweat lodges and they took the generator that we have given them the night before and confiscated that. Yes, we are taking stuff. There is misconception out there going out there. They are getting everybody that's bringing supplies, but there are too many people bringing supplies, they can't get everybody. I've heard this called, the protest at standing rock, the largest gathering of Native American tribes in northern -- more than a century. I would say more than a century. At last count I think there was upwards of 333, there are tribal nations they brought their flags and as you are driving past cannonball Creek, the flags start and go all the way up over the fence line is your pulling down to the camp, they go all the way down to the end. It's a fabulous site. So many people standing together and there are also flags from around the world. We've met people from everywhere. We've had people come to our camp and share songs with us. It's a warm feeling, and a lot of power. I understand there is another storm headed your way. How are you preparing? Everyone is hungry down right now. It's snowing outside pretty good now, but it's just a little snow and people don't mind a little bit of white stuff falling from the sky. Is there any idea of what would be a clear signal for protesters to abandon the site in the protest? The only way I think that the abandonment could happen is, there were chemicals being dropped from the air again or something of that nature. Where it becomes a serious health issue for everyone. Outside of that this is going on until further notice? This will continue. The people are there for the long haul. Water is our life. Water is everybody's life and, being on the biggest aquifer in the United States of America, I think it's just going to bring more to standing rock. I don't think this is the end. I think it's one battle in the war for water. Kennedy on another note? When the news came down yesterday, we had people actually crying and hugging one another and it was such a powerful feeling. I hope the people across the world can get those images and know that trying to help is a good thing, and trying to be a part of something that's right is a great thing. We need to press on, we need to show one another live and show the respect that's needed. I've been speaking with Robert Wallace. Robert, thanks very much. A group of Native Americans in an environment loss and others plan together in San Diego this afternoon in a prayer vigil to support the protesters at standing rock. The protest is scheduled at 330 outside of the Army Corps of Engineers building in Sarah Mason.
Protesters who celebrated a major victory in their push to reroute the Dakota Access oil pipeline vowed to remain camped on federal land as they wait to find out whether President-elect Donald Trump might seek to overturn a decision that delayed the $3.8 billion project.
The American Petroleum Institute, which represents the U.S. oil and natural gas industry, urged Trump to make approval of the disputed pipeline a "top priority" once he takes office next month, but a Trump spokesman on Monday offered few clues about how the incoming president might address the matter.
The Army Corps of Engineers on Sunday denied a permit for the pipeline to cross under the Missouri River in southern North Dakota near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. The tribe believes the 1,200-mile pipeline to transport North Dakota oil to a shipping point in Illinois threatens drinking water and cultural sites.
The segment under Lake Oahe is the only remaining big chunk of construction on the four-state pipeline that also crosses through South Dakota and Iowa.
"I am hopeful President-elect Trump will reject the Obama administration's shameful actions to deny this vital energy project," American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Jack Gerard said in a statement late Sunday.
Trump supports construction of the pipeline, spokesman Jason Miller told The Associated Press on Monday, but Miller wouldn't say whether Trump would reverse the Corps' decision.
"We will review the full situation when we're in the White House and make the appropriate determination at that time," Miller said.
The uncertainty of what Trump will do is keeping many supporters in the camp despite winter conditions.
"The whole world is watching," said Miles Allard, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux. "I'm telling all our people to stand up and not to leave until this is over."
Pipeline opponents have camped for months near the pipeline route in North Dakota. Hundreds of people at the Oceti Sakowin, or Seven Council Fires, encampment cheered and chanted "mni wichoni" â "water is life" in Lakota Sioux â on Sunday when they learned of the Corps' decisoin.
The uncertainty of what Trump will do is keeping many supporters in the camp despite winter conditions.
The company constructing the pipeline, Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, slammed the Corps' decision as politically motivated and alleged that President Barack Obama's administration was determined to delay the matter until he leaves office.
"The White House's directive today to the Corps for further delay is just the latest in a series of overt and transparent political actions by an administration which has abandoned the rule of law in favor of currying favor with a narrow and extreme political constituency," the company said in a statement Sunday night.
Assistant Secretary for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy said in a news release that her decision was based on the need to consider alternative routes for the pipeline's crossing. Her full decision doesn't rule out that it could cross under the reservoir or north of Bismarck.
"Although we have had continuing discussion and exchanges of new information with the Standing Rock Sioux and Dakota Access, it's clear that there's more work to do," Darcy said. "The best way to complete that work responsibly and expeditiously is to explore alternate routes for the pipeline crossing."
North Dakota's leaders criticized the decision, with Gov. Jack Dalrymple calling it a "serious mistake" that "prolongs the dangerous situation" of having several hundred protesters who are camped out on federal land during cold, wintry weather. U.S. Rep. Kevin Cramer said it's a "very chilling signal" for the future of infrastructure in the United States.
U.S. Secretary for the Interior Sally Jewell said in a statement that the Corps' "thoughtful approach ... ensures that there will be an in-depth evaluation of alternative routes for the pipeline and a closer look at potential impacts."
Associated Press writer Steve Peoples contributed to this story from Washington, D.C. Blake Nicholson contributed from Bismarck, N.D.
