Flash back a couple months ago and I’m sure, whether you're a news worm not, you at least saw some of the postings about the Standing Rock Protests. To refresh your memory, the North Dakota Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, along with other people across the country, have been protesting the installation of the Dakota Access Pipeline. And it worked! ...kind of.
After months of protest and spreading information, the easement necessary to permit the Dakota Access Pipeline was not approved by the Army back in December, while under the Obama administration. This ruling along with the Army’s assistant secretary for civil works Jo-Ellen Darcy's statement, "The best way to complete that work responsibly and expeditiously is to explore alternate routes for the pipeline crossing," was a huge win for all those in protest of the DAPL.
This ruling was a positive turn of events, but it wasn't going to be the end.
Throughout Donald Trump's campaign he made it very clear that he would support pipelines such as this one. Today, just a few days into his presidency, those claims were backed up by Press Secretary Sean Spicer. While Trump didn't come out himself, Mr, Spicer said, "I will tell you that areas like the Dakota and Keystone pipeline areas that we can increase jobs, increase economic growth, and tap into America's energy supply. That's something that he's been very clear about."
So clearly there must be a reason for this pipeline, right? It’s predicted to boost economic revenue by increasing in-house oil, compared to foreign oil. Another reason there are people supporting the DAPL, including Trump, is because the thousands of jobs it’s predicted to create.
The issues however are much larger than saving some money and creating some jobs, as I thought we had already realized with the Army's ruling to deny the permit.
This pipeline would be being built under the Missouri River, which is a key water source for the surrounding reservation.
And it’s not even just about the native people along the river, either — all the connecting would be affected if the pipeline was to burst.
You might be thinking, “Well how often does a pipeline really leak?”
Honestly, a lot more often than you’d think. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has reported more than 3,300 incidents of leaks and ruptures at oil and gas pipelines since 2010. Considering that even the smallest leak would drastically damage the water supply, it seems a bit risky just to save some money.
Another issue with the DAPL is that surrounding the predicted area of the pipeline lay sacred grounds. If you’re thinking for one second, “So what’s the big deal about that?” I’d like to argue that if we considered throwing a pipeline through a cemetery where your loved ones were buried, you’d come up with some reasons against it, too. And rightfully so.
On top of all this, many environmental activists believe that the pipeline would worsen climate change by building up the country’s oil infrastructure. I get that Trump appointed an environmental advisor who literally thinks climate change is a hoax and that pesticides aren't harmful, but come on. We only have one planet, are we really trying to play with the future of it like this?
This isn't a small issue. It's not just "a pipeline."
Thousands of people from all over the world have attended this ongoing protest and many others have voiced support from their own homes. Under the Obama administration the Army had already weighed in that the current DAPL plan just wasn't the best way to go. But now, in Trump's first few days as POTUS, we already have him taking steps backward in regards to environmental and human rights. It's scary to think how much further back he'll take us.
