Issues

 On the heels of the Keystone I project in East River, oil transportation company TransCanada began to work on the Keystone XL pipeline proposal through Western South Dakota. The easements that TransCanada presented to East River landowners provided for a “permanent and perpetual easement” dismissing TransCanada of all liability in connection with the pipeline.

The WPAG chapter hosted a landowner informational meeting in late July 2008 focused on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline project. The event was attended by over 60 people and resulted in a new DRA committee. The group is working to ensure that if Keystone XL does cross western SD, our land, water, and resources are protected, and it is not at a cost to the state and its people.

DRA has helped to organize landowners from over 100 miles of the 300 mile route through SD, to represent themselves collectively in negotiations with TransCanada. DRA has also extended organizational efforts into Nebraska and Montana, working to connect South Dakota landowners with those in neighboring states along the pipeline route.  A democratically elected Landowner Negotiations Team comprised of two landowners each, from SD, NE, and MT is currently working to represent the groups’ interests in negotiations with Trans-Canada.

DRA has been and continues to work with our landowner members to ensure that the issues and concerns raised by the Keystone XL pipeline proposal are recognized and addressed throughout the state and federal permitting processes, and through local ordinances and state legislation.

For more information, contact Stephanie Trask at 605.697.5204 or 605.718.4957.