The fate of the tribal lands that rest where construction for the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) lies are for now, still in the hands of President Barack Obama. The president’s administration said Friday (Nov. 11), a decision for the billion dollar project could come sooner than later.
The pipeline project is neither a “go” nor a dub, claiming “the process is ongoing and no decisions have been made,” leaving hope for those protesting at the Standing Rock Sioux reservation, The Washington Examiner reports. The native inhabitants claim that the construction of the pipeline will disrupt sacred land and pose a threat to contaminating one of their top sources for clean water regarding the Missouri River. An Army Corps of Engineers spokeswoman also shared last week a final decision could come in just a few weeks.
But, does this statement raise hope for debunking implementation plans? According to Dakota Access LLC, the $3.7 billion project, in respect to the North Dakota region, has been completed except for the drilling beneath the Missouri River at Lake Oahe.
President-elect, Donald Trump may also have some impact on the fate of the Standing Rock dwellers. Even though Trump has not stated his connection to the project, he is supportive of developing the energy industry by upgrading the United States’ oil and gas infrastructure. If President Obama’s administration rejects the project, the progress that has occurred thus far, could all be overturned by the impending president’s command.