Standing Rock Reservation Conflict with Dakota Access Pipeline

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Standing Rock Reservation Conflict with Dakota Access Pipeline
Since 2014, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has raised controversies about the development of the Dakota Access Pipeline. After an investment of about $3.7 billion, the project was to be completed in 2016. The Dakota Access Pipeline is expected to adhere to safety requirements as per the state and the federal government. Unfortunately, it continues to be a national problem in America with different tribes opposing the project on various grounds.
The Dakota Access Pipeline is responsible for separating American citizens due to different opinions about the project. Additionally, it has contributed to America’s downfall both socially and economically. The conflict has been triggered by Native Americans and other groups in the country (Amatulli, “How You Can Help the Standing Rock Sioux Fight the Dakota Access Pipeline”). After a verdict received from Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA), the Sioux and other tribes began protesting against the project. They did not want to undergo any risks associated with pipe leakages accrued from the Dakota Access Pipeline. The Sioux argued against the logicality of taking a chance with these pipes after having experienced over 3000 unfortunate oil leaks before. Apart from the project’s interference with the Sioux’s water supply, the tribe also bases their opposition on consecrated grounds. The Native American group blames the law for incompetence as a result of the latter’s failure to follow requisite procedure (Mclaughlin, “Tribe Prepares to Keep up Pipeline Protest through North Dakota Winter”).

It was important for them to acquire information about the Dakota Access Pipeline to avoid indistinguishable controversies. Even until now, the 2014 conflict raised by the Sioux Tribe has not shown any signs of improvement (Grossman, “The Dakota Pipeline Controversy Explained”).
In addition to the Sioux Tribe, other existent parties in the Dakota Access Pipeline project include the PHMSA, federal government, media houses, celebrities, governors, and policemen, among other influential groups. Each one has elicited different reactions depending on the project’s influence on their lives (Grossman, “The Dakota Pipeline Controversy Explained”). Media houses, during the discussion of this project, are responsible for ensuring the existence of news coverage for public awareness. It is quite impossible to eliminate the PHMSA because it functions in bringing about environmental safety in the U.S. The prevalence of people from diverse background indicates the horrid extent to which the pipeline project has affected America. In protesting against the Dakota Pipeline, most individuals have interfered with the construction process by settling on the land. True to this, their occupation of the space slowed down the Dakota Access Pipeline project (Cherelus, “Dakota Pipeline Protesters Block Work Crews”).The controversy around this construction is also explored by influential figures such as Mark Ruffalo and Shailene Woodley, both of whom are renowned in the film industry. They endorse these protests by the Sioux; reiterating on the extent of environmental degradation caused by the Dakota Access Pipeline project. Just like media houses, these influential figures manage to create public awareness about the hazardous nature of building the Dakota Access Pipeline.
There is a keen examination of Governor Jack Dalrymple which involves his strong disregard for these protestors against the project. Through his involvement, people are acquainted with the roles of policemen apropos of the Dakota Access Pipeline Project. Jack’s mandate led to the arrest of numerous people that protested against the construction in America (Mapes, “Standing Rock Sioux Continue Opposition to Dakota Access Pipeline”). Together with the police, he is classified among the few supporters of this project. The extent of rebellion due to the Dakota Access Pipeline has perpetrated police brutality toward the protestors. There is evidence of bullets, pepper spray and other violent channels employed by the policemen in an attempt to boycott the prevalence of parties opposing this pipeline construction. Instead of focusing on the well-being of the community, these groups use the project to acquire personal satisfaction (Hawkins, “Police defend the use of water cannons on Dakota Access protesters in freezing weather”).
As a matter of fact, any individual that delineated ill behavior toward the project was either arrested or detained. The lives of most journalists, for instance, were compromised due to their exposure to the debate while collecting relevant information. These acts of brutality portrayed by policemen have also led to a rift between them and the citizens (Wong, “Standing Rock protest: hundreds clash with police over Dakota Access Pipeline”). The latter, in advocating for their human rights, accused higher authorities for the invalidated harsh actions toward them. It is so unfortunate that some journalists were arrested to avoid exposure of these police brutal acts; some of which were captured in their news coverage.
A key figure in this project, the federal government, has not reacted in accordance with the Sioux and their counterparts. Insofar as the project was boycotted, there were losses after it was approved by a federal court (Worland, “What to Know about the Dakota Access Pipeline Protests”). Its instigation, therefore, meant that the Americans had to undergo every drawback that was affiliated with the Dakota Access Pipeline project. Moreover, it is impossible to infer Barrack Obama’s opinion toward the construction due to his subtlety in the topic. He, however, insinuates allegiance toward the protestors by supporting their confidence in standing up for their rights. Through his speech at The White House, members of the public observe the support given to these protestors by the Obama administration. Much as he does not take staunch steps in rectifying the situation, his support for the Sioux Tribe and their counterparts shows Obama’s role in the project. The Department of Interior, The Department of Justice and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, being constituents of the Obama Administration, depict their stand on the Dakota Access Pipeline in a great way.
Interestingly enough, both Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump also share their views about the pipeline project. They offer distinct responses toward the construction as Clinton refuses to take sides. According to her, they are supposed to come to a consensus which should lead to satisfaction of both parties. Clinton’s lack of a solid opinion shows the complications associated with the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The project created a lot of rifts between Americans that lead to the retrogression in their society. He only focuses on generalizations by advocating for the removal of regulatory policies in the oil industry. The public does not receive specific information about Donald Trump’s position apropos of the Dakota Access Pipeline construction (Sammon, “The Company Building the Dakota Access Pipeline Just Inked the First “Trump Deal”). These different opinions posed by influential figures in the U.S., clearly indicate the disputable nature of this construction; especially, at the expense of American lives.
Various media houses such as CNN, NBC, and Fox News covered the story about this pipeline construction. Through an in-depth exploration of the case by Time Magazine, the audience understands the legal process carried forth by these Sioux folk. They sued and drew a lawsuit for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, due to their proposition of the construction. The Sioux tribe approached the court with information that implicated environmental degradation on the Army Corps of Engineers (Medina, “Dakota Access Pipeline: What’s Behind the Protests?”). Regardless of the law interfering with their sacred grounds, the tribe was livid because it placed their waters at a greater risk. It is forlorn that supporters of the Dakota Access Pipeline are indifferent toward the protestors, despite their valid lamentations (Yan, “Dakota Access Pipeline: What’s at stake?”).
These debates revolving around the Dakota Access Pipeline exhibit similarities with the Keystone pipeline case that covers both U.S. and Canadian oils (US & Canada, “Keystone XL pipeline: Why is it so disputed?”). Just like the Dakota Access Pipeline, it received great opposition on the grounds of environmental degradation. It is important to delve deep into understanding the Keystone pipeline issue in relation to the controversies surrounding the Dakota Access Pipeline in the U.S. The intense cultural threats surrounding the construction alleviate its derogatory nature in America (Kennedy, “The Dakota Access Pipeline”). As a result, most Americans also began understanding the environmental effects caused by the Dakota Access Pipeline project. They carried banners around the states; demanding justice and demolition of structures that infringe human rights (Walsh, “What Is Standing Rock? What to Know About the Dakota Access Pipeline and Native American Rights”). As mentioned earlier, policemen and some governmental leaders denounced the protesters, oppressed them and even arrested some of these individuals (Bromwich, “16 Arrested at North Dakota Pipeline Protest”).
Until today, a final verdict apropos of the Dakota Access pipeline construction is still being debated. The salient contention regarding this project makes it difficult for governments to acquire a solution. An involvement of influential figures was also important in showcasing the severity of these effects caused by the construction. The Sioux tribe and its counterparts still oppose the construction of the Dakota Access pipeline on both cultural and environmental grounds.
Works Cited
Amatulli, J. How You Can Help The Standing Rock Sioux Fight The Dakota Access Pipeline.The Huffing Post, 2016. Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/help-standing-rock-sioux-dakota-access-pipeline_us_583480c9e4b000af95eca013?utm_hp_ref=dakota-access-pipeline
Bromwich, E. J. 16 Arrested at North Dakota Pipeline Protest. The New York Times, 2016. Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/21/us/dakota-access-pipeline-protesters-police.html?_r=0
Cherelus. G. Dakota Pipeline Protesters Block Work Crews. Reuters, 2016. Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/dakota-pipeline-protesters_us_58279497e4b0c4b63b0cfecb?utm_hp_ref=dakota-access-pipeline
Grossman, D.The Dakota Pipeline Controversy Explained. Popular Mechanics, 2016. Retrieved from: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/infrastructure/a23658/dakota-pipeline-protests/
Hawkins, D. Police defend the use of water cannons on Dakota Access protesters in freezing weather.The Washington Post, 2016. Retrieved from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/11/21/police-citing-ongoing-riot-use-water-cannons-on-dakota-access-protesters-in-freezing-weather/
Kennedy, M. The Dakota Access Pipeline. Earth Justice, 2016. Retrieved from: http://earthjustice.org/cases/2016/the-dakota-access-pipeline#
Mapes, L. Standing Rock Sioux Continue Opposition To Dakota Access Pipeline. Npr, 2016. Retrieved from: http://www.npr.org/2016/10/30/499985883/standing-rock-sioux-continue-opposition-to-dakota-access-pipeline
Mclaughlin, T. Tribe Prepares To Keep Up Pipeline Protest Through North Dakota Winter. Reuters, 2016. Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/tribe-prepares-to-keep-up-pipeline-protest-through-north-dakota-winter_us_5819ef8fe4b0a76e174c181e?utm_hp_ref=dakota-access-pipeline
Medina, A. D. Dakota Access Pipeline: What’s Behind the Protests?NBC News, 2016. Retrieved from: http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/dakota-pipeline-protests/dakota-access-pipeline-what-s-behind-protests-n676801
Sammon, A.The Company Building the Dakota Access Pipeline Just Inked the First “Trump Deal” Mother Jones, 2016. Retrieved from: http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2016/11/dakota-access-pipeline-etp-sunoco-merger
Walsh, J. What Is Standing Rock? What To Know About The Dakota Access Pipeline And Native American Rights. International Business Times, 2016. Retrieved from: http://www.ibtimes.com/what-standing-rock-what-know-about-dakota-access-pipeline-native-american-rights-2440005
Worland, J. What to Know About the Dakota Access Pipeline Protests. Time, 2016. Retrieved from: http://time.com/4548566/dakota-access-pipeline-standing-rock-sioux/
Wong, C. J. Standing Rock protest: hundreds clash with police over Dakota Access Pipeline. The Guardian, 2016. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/21/standing-rock-protest-hundreds-clash-with-police-over-dakota-access-pipeline
Yan, H. Dakota Access Pipeline: What’s at stake?CNN, 2016. Retrieved from: http://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/07/us/dakota-access-pipeline-visual-guide/
US & Canada.Keystone XL pipeline: Why is it so disputed? BBC News, 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-30103078