On the surface, the Dakota Access Pipeline is a $3.7 billion project that would carry 470,000 barrels of oil a day from the oilfields of North Dakota to Illinois, where it would link to other pipelines. Energy Transfer, the company behind the costly pipeline, says that the pipeline will funnel millions of dollars to local economies as well as create up to 12,000 jobs.
Not only will this create thousands of jobs, but it is also said to generate an estimated $129 million in property and income taxes annually. Energy Transfer has stated that the pipeline will exceed state and federal safety requirements. This project may seem like a good idea in the sense that it is creating new jobs, most of which will be temporary, helping local economies, increasing domestic crude oil production and creating greater energy independence for the U.S, however, there is a much different side to the story, one that is not so beneficial and widely known.
Near the construction site for the Dakota Access Pipeline, there is the Standing Rock Sioux reservation. This pipeline will cross the Missouri River, located upstream the tribe’s reservation, which could ruin their only source of clean water if there was an oil spill, as well as tear through their private land, desecrate sacred cultural and burial sites. For this small tribe, this pipeline could be the end of life as they know it.
Although the Standing Rock Sioux tribe have been protesting for months, their actions have recently been gaining more nationwide attention. The people of Standing Rock Sioux have resorted to social media to have their voices heard.
In light of the events on Sept. 3, 2016, when Energy Transfer sent guard dogs in an attempt to control protesters, there has been an increase of activity on social media documenting the battle between the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. The Standing Rock Sioux spokesman, Steve Sitting Bear, said 30 people had been pepper sprayed and six had been attacked by dogs. Photos depicting the scene were all over Twitter and other social media sites, including one that showed bite marks on a pregnant woman and several children.
The chaos cleared up when authorities arrived on the scene; no arrests were made. Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier said protesters crossed onto private property and were aggressive toward security guards, which prompted them to bring out the guard dogs.
The people of Standing Rock Sioux had filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S Army Corps of Engineers to fight the construction this past July. The tribe has argued that they had improperly granted permits for the project.
“My nation’s history is at risk because the pipeline builders and the Army Corps failed to consult the tribe when planning the pipeline, and routed it through areas of cultural and historical significance, which will be destroyed,” David Archambaul ll, chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, said in a court filing.
On Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, U.S District Judge James E. Boasberg ruled that because the tribe had not demonstrated how exactly it would be harmed by construction in areas that received permits from the Army Corps, the tribe was denied its request to have an injunction that sought to stop construction on the pipeline.
However, he did acknowledge that the United States’ relationship with the Native American tribes has been “contentious and tragic.”
“This case has highlighted the need for a serious discussion on whether there should be nationwide reform with respect to considering tribes’ views on these types of infrastructure projects,” the agencies said.
Recently, the Tribal Government-to-Government Consultation Policy was passed stating that the federal government will invite tribes to formal, government-to-government consultations to improve communication. Despite this good news, the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline is still scheduled to happen.
