United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs
5600 American Boulevard West, Suite 990
Bloomington, Minnesota 55437-1458
IN REPLY REFER TO:

FWS/R3/MBSP-WSFR

May 25, 2016
Mr. Chuck Gipp, Director
Department of Natural Resources
Wallace Building, 502 East Ninth Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Dear Mr. Gipp,
On May 09, 2016 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) communicated, through an
official approval letter, its support of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
decision to issue a Sovereign Lands Construction Permit to Dakota Access, LLC for the
construction, maintenance and operation of an underground pipeline across the Big
Sioux River Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Based on recent information provided
by the State Archaeologist, a significant archaeological site (13LO335) was identified
within the WMA and may fall along the proposed path of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Due to these recent developments the FWS is requesting that the DNR stop all tree
clearing or any ground-disturbing activities within the pipeline corridor pending further
investigation.
If you should have any questions, please contact our office at 612-713-5130.

Sincerely,

Digitally signed by
James B. Hodgson
Date: 2016.05.25
13:32:00 -05'00'

James B. Hodgson, Chief
Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs

cc:

Kara Bryant, Federal Aid Coordinator (kara.bryant@dnr.iowa.gov)