Dakota Access Pipeline Protesters Victory

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe stood victorious Sunday in it’s months long battle to protect the land from the building of the Dakota Access Pipeline near it’s reservation. 

The Army Corps Of Engineers denied a key permit for construction under Lake Oahe and is now looking for alternative route. Assistant Sec. of the Army (Civil Works) Jo-Ellen Darcy said in a statement “Although we have had continuing discussion and exchanges of new information with the Standing Rock Sioux and Dakota Access, it’s clear that there’s more work to do.”

The Dakota Access Pipeline’s 1,172 mile route was designed to go under the Missouri River which the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe protesters argued it will affect drinking water. Not only would it impact the environment but it would disturb sacred land and burial grounds.

The pipeline would carry 470,000 barrels per day from the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota to a refinery in Illinois and is a $3.7 billion project.

About 80% of the pipeline has been completed.

This is definitely a huge win for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe however oil it’s not over. Oil industry leaders are urging President Elect Donald Trump to approve the permit. Time magazine reports Trump is going to review the Dakota Access Pipeline once he get’s in office.

To read more in depth click NYTimes.com