South Dakota board approves Keystone XL water permits

The South Dakota Water Management Board on Tuesday approved five water permit applications for Keystone XL pipeline construction despite a prolonged and contentious hearing with Calgary-based TC Energy saying it cannow begin construction in the state.

The hearing was so contentious that it stretched into a dozen days over the course of four months as First Nations and environmental groups argued against their approval.

After holding a brief period for public comment in Fort Pierre, S.D., on Tuesday, the board met in a closed executive session before voting to approve the permits, with added requirements for real-time monitoring and weekly check-ins with the state.

"We are pleased that the SD Water Management Board has approved our applications and we look forward to working with the State of South Dakota as we move forward with this project,"TC Energy spokeswoman Sara Rabern said in an emailed statement.

Rabern said there are no other permits needed in South Dakota for TC Energy formerly known asTransCanadato begin construction.

An expert overseeing the pipeline's construction said building should begin this summer.

TC Energy, formerly called TransCanada, had applied for permits to tap the Cheyenne, White and Bad rivers in South Dakota during construction. The water will be used for drilling to install pipe, build pump stations and control dust during construction. Two ranchers also applied for water permits to supply backup water to worker camps.

When completed, Keystone XL would carry up to 830,000 barrels of crude oil a day in1,905 kilometres to Nebraskafrom the central Alberta town of Hardistry, about 210 kilometres northeast of Red Deer.

In Nebraska, the pipelinewould connect with other lines that go to Gulf Coast refineries.

Opponents can appeal decision

Opponents can appeal the board's decision. They didn't immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

During the hearing Tuesday, the board allowed three minutes for each person who wanted to comment before the executive session.

Two Indigenousyouths,Tatanka Itancan,17, and sister Zora Lone Eagle,13, camewith handprints painted on their faces and used their three minutes to silently stare at the board in protest.

They said they had been refused permission to cross-examine experts during the hearing because they are minors and not represented by an attorney.

Itancan said they live within a couple of kilometres of where the pipeline would cross the Cheyenne River.

Before the vote, Anthony Helland, a member of an environmental group called Dakota Rural Action, said oil pipelines and other fossil fuel industries have been "met with open arms by governmental bodies."

He argued that the board should base their decision on whether the water use would serve the best interest of South Dakotans.