Unclear why Cramer would issue statement, as Environmental Impact Statement is still incomplete. Decision would be a huge setback for the Standing Rock Sioux and others who have opposed the pipeline route.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - North Dakota Congressman Kevin Cramer said on YouTube Tuesday that the Army Corps of Engineers will be granting the easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline to cross beneath Lake Oahe.

This approval would be needed to complete construction of the project, and follows President Trump’s Jan. 24 memorandum to the Secretary of the Army, directing that all federal agency reviews and approvals be expedited to complete the remaining portions of the pipeline.

It is unclear why Cramer would issue this statement at this time. According to the FEDERAL REGISTER, the Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in Connection With Dakota Access, LLC's Request for an Easement To Cross Lake Oahe, by the Army Department on 01/18/2017, sets the North Dakota Army Core of Engineers' comment period for the Environmental Impact Statement as open until February 20, 2017. Are they are approving the Easement before they finish their own review?

Congressman Cramer's YouTube Statement is presented below:

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