Iowa group seeks more permit oversight for pipeline
October 18th, 2015 by Ric Hanson
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A group that opposes a proposed oil pipeline across Iowa says it’s asking a federal agency’s regional office to be more stringent in permitting a private company access to waterways in the path of the project. Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement says it wants the Army Corps of Engineers’ district office in Rock Island, Illinois, to change how it is reviewing permit applications from Dakota Access LLC for parts of a pipeline that will also run through North Dakota, South Dakota and Illinois.
The Army Corps of Engineers helps oversee the country’s waterways. A district office spokeswoman says it is following the policies in place for reviewing the applications. The two sides plan to meet soon. The Iowa Utilities Board is reviewing a separate permit application for the pipeline.