With recent events unfolding regarding the Dakota Access Pipeline, I feel it warranted to comment my perspective and to make a case that the pipeline should be built. In my writings here I have stayed away from controversial political topics. For a Political Science major I tend not to engage in arguments or talking about hot button issues. However, I feel strongly about this topic and thus wanted to share my views.

Recent reports from CBS indicate that "Oil could be flowing through the $3.8 billion Dakota Access Pipeline in less than two weeks" http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2017/02/24/dapl-coul.... This is a stark contrast to reports from last year, when former President Barack Obama promised that the pipeline would be shut down. With the new administration of Donald Trump, and his executive action signed on January 24th, 2017, only four days after being sworn in, the pipeline was approved. The protests started again with a renewed fevor against the construction. However, their protests are unwarranted and illegal.

The ecological surveys that have been conducted are conclusive, the Pipeline is a safe way to transfer oil around the country, and that the claims of the Standing Rock Tribe are unfounded. There is always the need to protect the Religious rights of our citizens, it is a fundamental human right. However, the Pipeline will be a large economic powerhouse for the region and reduce dependence on foreign oil, making America stronger.

The claim that the DAPL will poison the environment is thwarted by the disgusting mess that the protesters left behind. Yes, if the Pipeline burst than oil could pollute the river, however, with solid construction and regular upkeep, it is unlikely that something will happen. A more likely turn of events is that some eco-warrior, save the rain forest type will try and attack the pipeline. Referring back to the trash, the protesters left behind massive amounts of garbage and human waste during their protests. According to pjmedia.com, quoting Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota, "protesters left behind tons of garbage that will have to be cleaned up before the annual snow melt." PJ Media goes on to say that " The Associated Press reported that local and federal officials think there could be enough trash and garbage left behind by protesters to fill 2,500 pickup trucks" Sounds like these people really care about the environment doesn't it? Think this doesn't sound too bad? "Months of accumulated debris, including human waste... pose a significant and increasing environmental threat to the waters of the Missouri River if cleanup and removal efforts are not quickly accelerated and completed before flooding begin", according to the executive order Gov. Burgum issued regarding the evacuation of the DAPL protest site on Wednesday. https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/2017/02/23/d... Thus, these protesters actually created a serious environmental problem when none exesisted before.

So, not only did they fail to stop this "evil pipeline", the protesters actually created a legitimate ecological threat to the Missouri River, and even set fire to their camps as a protest. Fires that sent two children to the hospital with burn injuries. These protesters had no idea what they were doing and caused a dozen more problems than what they solved.

If this wasn't enough, the bill is coming in for the costs of these protests. North Dakota, which is traditionally one of the lesser economically rich states has to foot a 33 million dollar bill as a result of the protests which is what the state spent on law enforcement and mobilizing their National Guard units. The state, rather than spending money to help the disenfranchised, and oppressed people of the Standing Rock Tribe, the state must spend this money to pay for the costs of these protesters, and what did they really accomplish in the end?