FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 6, 2015

CONTACT: John Harter, Dakota Rural Action Vice Chair, crossed by former Keystone XL route: (605)840-9478
Paul Seamans, Dakota Rural Action landowner, crossed by former Keystone XL route: (605)669-2777
Sabrina King, Dakota Rural Action: (605)939-0527

SOUTH DAKOTA LANDOWNERS, DAKOTA RURAL ACTION CELEBRATE THE FINAL REJECTION
OF THE KEYSTONE XL TAR SANDS PIPELINE

Brookings, SD – Early this morning, President Barack Obama did what landowners have been waiting for: he rejected the Keystone XL pipeline.

“As a property owner in South Dakota, and who was coerced into a settlement agreement through eminent domain, I am deeply grateful for the rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline,’ says John Harter, Dakota Rural Action Vice Chair and a landowner crossed by the former proposed Keystone XL route.

“South Dakota landowners have been fighting TransCanada in their use of eminent domain for over seven years now. Dakota Rural Action has organized landowners who are against the Keystone XL and Dakota Rural Action has allied with like-minded groups in North Dakota, Montana, and Nebraska. Dakota Rural Action has also worked closely with native grassroots groups as well as various South Dakota tribal councils to stop the Keystone XL. Building the Keystone XL has always been a bad idea and we are thankful that President Obama has realized this. Grassroots groups have been the boots and moccasins on the ground in this fight. Never again will a company such as TransCanada so seriously underestimate the power of grassroots opposition,” says Dakota Rural Action member and landowner crossed by the former route Paul Seamans. “Thank you President Obama. Let the celebrations begin.”

Celebrations will be held across the state Saturday evening; more information can be found on Dakota Rural Action’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/dakotaruralaction


Dakota Rural Action is a grassroots family agriculture and conservation group that organizes South Dakotans to protect our family farmers and ranchers, natural resources, and unique way of life. www.dakotarural.org