Not much happens in the Dakotas or at least not enough to gain national media attention, but with an indefinite stop on a pipeline construction as a result of protests, heads are beginning to turn.
The Dakota Access Pipeline project was set to be finished at the end of 2016. It’s hard to believe, but 2016 is not over and neither is the project, and there are reasons to believe it may never be completed.
The project was officially announced in summer 2014, by October of that year the Native American tribe, the Standing Rock Sioux among others began to challenge the project. Once construction began, in an act of solidarity, people began to protest.
With the election over, the media is once again looking at the protests, especially in light of a statement recently released by President Obama. A lot has happened over the course of two years with more to come, below are the basics.
1. What is the pipeline?
The 30-inch diameter pipeline is designed to run from the Bakken region in North Dakota to Patoka, Illinois, along with the way it’ll pass through South Dakota and Iowa. The overall purpose is to transport light sweet crude oil in the most efficient and safest way possible.
2. Who is involved?
To sum it up while there are many groups involved, but there are only two teams: The Oil Company and the Protesters.
Team Oil Company is headed by Energy Transfer Crude Oil Company, LLC. Under them sits Dakota Access, LLC and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Team Protestors include Native American Tribes, specifically the Standing Rock Sioux and environmentalist’s activists, among others. The group, originally just a tribal elder, has expanded to thousands of people with different backgrounds from all over the world.
3. How did the protest begin?
Originally the plan for the pipeline to go across the Missouri river was rejected due to possible negative impacts on surrounding water sources and residential areas; instead, it was rerouted to go under the river, half a mile from the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. However, they neglected to consult Native Tribes or take into consideration the tribes’ concerns for sacred sites and landscapes with cultural significance. Tribes in North Dakota and environmentalists in Iowa began to protest.
4. Results?
The overall result has led to more attention on social media and from national media sources. Attention was garnered by a group known as ReZpect Our Water, created by some youth from Standing Rock Indian Reservation. The group ran from North Dakota to Washington D.C. to deliver a petition to stop construction to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In addition, several camps have been established to house protestors, the first being Sacred Stone Camp. The camps although intended to remain indefinitely, have been attempted to be cleared by police. Attention also came about after reported harsh treatment of protesters came to light.
5. What’s happening now?
In early November, President Obama said that his administration is monitoring the protest and potential construction of the pipeline. They planned to consult with the Army Corps of engineers to possibly reroute the pipeline and avoid sacred lands.
Protesters established a “Winter Camp” directly in the construction pathway.
Although the information above just states the facts, there’s a lot of information to be learned, and details to be absorbed. By following the hashtag #NoDAPL, those interested can stay in touch with the current ongoing of the protest and pipeline construction. As of now, no decision has been reached on whether a new route will be suggested, in the meantime continue to pay attention, and remember there’s more to this than just the basics.
Photo Credit:ROBYN BECK / AFP/GETTY IMAGES