US Army Corps Allows Dakota Access Pipeline to Continue Operations

The US Army Corps of Engineers has recommended the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline keep running. The announcement came in a crucial environmental review published on Friday. This marks a significant development in a long-running legal battle. The recommendation is a win for the pipeline’s operator, Energy Transfer.

Dakota Access Pipeline Receives Key Federal Endorsement

The Army Corps released its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This document is mandated by law for major federal projects. It concluded that pipeline operations should continue under specific conditions.

The recommended conditions include enhanced groundwater monitoring. They also require regular water and sediment sampling. The plan mandates new leak detection technology along the route. According to Reuters, the pipeline is a major conduit for Bakken shale oil.

It can transport up to 750,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The route stretches over 1,100 miles from North Dakota to Illinois. The pipeline has operated during the entire review process. The Corps’ recommendation now goes to decision-makers for final action.

Longstanding Legal and Environmental Controversy

The recommendation moves the pipeline closer to a permanent resolution. It follows a 2022 federal court order. That order demanded this more intensive environmental study.

The legal fight has pitted Energy Transfer against Native American tribes for years. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has been a leading voice in opposition. Tribes have expressed deep concerns over water safety and sacred sites.

The pipeline crosses underneath Lake Oahe in North Dakota. This crossing is just half a mile north of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. The tribe fears a potential oil spill could contaminate their primary water source.

The newly recommended safeguards aim to address these environmental risks. They include detailed fish tissue residue analyses. However, tribal leaders have consistently argued the risk is unacceptable. The conclusion of this federal review is a pivotal moment, but not the final word.

The Army Corps’ findings are a recommendation, not an order. It is not yet known if the recommendation will be formally implemented. Legal experts suggest further court challenges are likely.

The future of the Dakota Access Pipeline remains a focal point for national debates on energy, environmental justice, and tribal sovereignty. The federal endorsement for continued operation is a major milestone for the project’s supporters.

References: Hindustan Times, Reuters.