DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
CORPS OF ENGINEERS, OMAHA DISTRICT
1616 CAPITOL AVENUE
OMAHA NE 68102-4901

November 25, 2016
District Commander

Chairman Dave Archambault II
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
Bldg. #1, North Standing Rock Avenue
P.O. Box D
Fort Yates, North Dakota 58538
Dear Chairman Archambault:
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 327.12, I am closing the portion of the Corps-managed federal
property north of the Cannonball River to all public use and access effective December 5, 2016.
This decision is necessary to protect the general public from the violent confrontations between
protestors and law enforcement officials that have occurred in this area, and to prevent death,
illness, or serious injury to inhabitants of encampments due to the harsh North Dakota winter
conditions. The necessary emergency, medical, and fire response services, law enforcement, or
sustainable facilities to protect people from these conditions on this property cannot be provided.
I do not take this action lightly, but have decided that it is required due to the concern for public
safety and the fact that much of this land is leased to private persons for grazing and/or haying
purposes as part of the Corps’ land management practices. To be clear, this means that no
member of the general public, to include Dakota Access pipeline protestors, can be on these
Corps’ lands.
The Corps of Engineers has established a free speech zone on land south of the Cannonball
River for anyone wishing to peaceably protest the Dakota Access pipeline project, subject to the
rules of 36 C.F.R. Part 327. In these areas, jurisdiction for police, fire, and medical response is
better defined making it a more sustainable area for visitors to endure the harsh North Dakota
winter. For your reference, please find enclosed a map, marked as Exhibit A, which delineates
this free speech zone area, as well as shows the Corps’ lands north of the Cannonball River that
will be prohibited from public use. Any person found to be on the Corps’ lands north of the
Cannonball River after December 5, 2016, will be considered trespassing and may be subject to
prosecution under federal, state, and local laws. Furthermore, any person who chooses to stay on
these Corps’ lands north of the Cannonball River does so at their own risk, and assumes any and
all corresponding liabilities for their unlawful presence and occupation of such lands. There
currently are many Title 36 violations occurring on the Corps’ lands north of the Cannonball
River, including, but not limited to, unauthorized structures, fires, improper disposal of waste,
and camping. Additionally, any tribal government that sponsors such illegal activity is assuming
the risk for those persons who remain on these lands. See 36 C.F.R. § 327.
As I have publically stated, I am asking you, as a Tribal leader, to encourage members of
your Tribe, as well as any non-members who support you who are located in the encampments
north of the Cannonball River on Corps’ lands to immediately and peacefully move to the free

Printed on

Recycled Paper

 speech zone south of the Cannonball River or to a more sustainable location for the winter. I am
genuinely concerned for the safety and well-being of both the members of your Tribe and the
general public located at these encampments.
Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding this
information.
Sincerely,

John W. Henderson, P.E.
Colonel, Corps of Engineers
District Commander

 Mort
on C
ou nt
Emm
y, ND
ons
Co u
nty,
ND

ND
ty,
un
o
ND
nC
ty,
rto
un
o
o
M
C
ux
Sio

ND
nty,
Cou
ns
, ND
mo
nty
Em
Co u
ux
Sio

Free Speech Area

Morton
County

1804
S
T

Emmons
County

1806
T
S

S i o u x Free Speech Area
County

Oahe Dam and Reservior
Free Speech Area
0

Date: 21-November-2016

2,000 4,000

Legend
8,000

Feet

Disclaimer: The Government furnishes this data and the recipient accepts and uses
it with the express understanding that the United States Government makes no
warranties, expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability,
usability, or suitability for any particular purpose of the information and data furnished.
The United States shall be under no liability whatsoever to any person by reason of any
use made thereof. Data displayed on this map are approximations derived from GIS
layers and should NOT be used in place of survey data or legal land descriptions.

USACE Project Boundary (Fee)

Free Speech Area (±41.34 Acres)
Prohibited Area
Counties

.

Exhibit "A"

(regsi1):\re2\jesse\bob_incontro\Oahe\DAPL_Easement\
Free_Speech_Area.mxd