The $3.8 billion Dakota Access Pipeline is designed to transport 570,000 barrels of crude oil per day from the Bakken and Three Forks Oil Fields in North Dakota to a crude oil market hub located near Patoka, Ill. From there, the oil would ultimately be sent to refineries in the Midwest and on the Gulf Coast. The 1,100-mile-long pipeline crosses four states, beginning near Stanley, N.D., and ending at Patoka, Illinois. The pipeline has a diameter of up to 30 inches and has been 60 percent built at this time.
The pipleine developer is Energy Transfer Partners of Dallas, Texas. They obtained federal permits for the $3.8 billion pipeline in July, two years after it was first announced. The company says that pipelines are safer than moving oil by rail. The oil pipeline travels mostly across private land and thus avoids much of the major pipeline oversight. 
The Standing Rock Sioux tribe and supporters rallied in camps near the pipeline construction alignment since last April in Cannon Ball, N.D. The encampment is said to be the largest gathering of Indian people in North America in the past century.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District, holds the last easement, located next to the Missouri River, needed for the pipeline to be built. The pipeline’s opponents argue the Standing Rock Sioux tribe was never adequately consulted on the project, which threatens their water supply, as well as that of millions of people downstream from the pipeline’s proposed crossing under the Missouri River. Construction has already damaged the tribe’s sacred and cultural sites, including burial sites. The tribe demands a stop to further destruction of its cultural heritage. Recently the Trump administration granted approval to this controversial Dakota access pipeline project.
http://www.hcn.org/articles/obama-weighs-in-on-escalating-dakota-access-pipeline-protests
http://www.hcn.org/articles/these-maps-fill-the-gap-in-information-about-the-dakota-access-pipeline
Physical World 
I don’t believe that the companies have a right to invade the Sioux tribal land and place a pipeline. We founded this country by taking over their land and they don’t deserve to have the happen again. I also believe that this pipeline causes too many dangers being so close to a drinking water supply. It is also wrong that the military is treating the peaceful protesters as criminals and shows what state our country is truly in.
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The pipeline is obviously going to impact the people of this area in a negative way, but when it comes down to money there’s nothing that can stop this from being built. Where there’s oil there’s money and this pipeline shows that money is valued more than peoples health in today’s world. Now that Donald Trump is President, I can see more situations like this happening since he doesn’t believe in global warming.
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This is a tough situation for both sides because this is a project that will hurt the Sioux tribe and even residence that are near the pipeline or who live above it. But it will also help the oil business and possibly help to lower the price of oil. But the main reason is to create an easier way to transport the oil. I honestly don’t know who I would take sides with because I see advantages and disadvantages for both sides, but if i were to choose than I would go with the Sioux tribe. This is because they aren’t just ordinary residence being affected, they are a native tribe that necessarily don’t have the same resources, or access to resources that others may have. They have already lost a lot of their water supply and I don’t think they can afford to loose anything else. I think the company running this operation should think about the locations of the pipeline and who they are affecting. This makes it tough for them too because they are already 60% through with it, so changing their plan might affect the whole operation. But regardless this is a tough topic to choose sides because both sides have different reasoning for their actions.
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I don’t think this is a situation where only one side can be the winner. I think both the pipeline and the Sioux tribe can compromise. Instead of just getting rid of the pipeline or going through with the original plan, I believe that the North Dakota Access Pipeline should be moved away from the Sioux tribe reservation. It might be a little costly to change the route but out of respect to the Native Americans and to ensure that their water supply doesn’t get damaged it is something that needs to be done.
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I can see both sides of this situation and there really isn’t a clear solution to the problem. Seeing how the pipeline is already 60% complete and they already put so much money into it i can see why the do not want to stop. It would also help the oil business and make things more accessible to people and companies still using oil. I can also see the side of the Sioux tribe because they are destroying their land and could also affect their water supply as well as other people’s water that live down stream. I think if they were going to start this project either way they should have talked with the people of the Sioux tribe to try and find the best places to put this pipeline and try to work with them instead of against them.
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I do not believe there is a real winner in this situation. The tribe is going to be dealing with the repercussions of the pipeline running through their land, which in tale will be destroying the land along with having a chance of harming their water supply. While the company will be dealing with the protests and negative feels about the company do to the pipeline. At this point in the situation the company isn’t going to turn around and just restart due to the amount of money they would have now wasted. There isn’t really a perfect solution for anyone involved anymore.
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I do not believe that they should be putting the pipe line through sacred because it goes against the tribes’ civil rights. I also feel that the government should be respecting the native Americans far more than they do. Protestors should not be sent to jail for harmlessly voicing their opinions. Native Americans respect their land and nature far more than we do, and the way the company has gone about putting in the pipeline distasteful and unsympathetic.
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This pipeline should not be allowed due to the majority of the pipeline is going through private property. I believe the owners of the property should be asked about the pipeline and whether they approve is going through their property and if they don’t, the construction company needs to seek an alternative route. Also, the Standing Rock Sioux tribe was never adequately consulted on the project, which threatens their water supply, they already have cultural site damage and burial site damage, they shouldn’t lose there water supply as well. It is there land and they should be able to chose what happens with it, not the construction team.
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It is clear after reading this article that there is not going to be an easy solution to this situation. It was not right that the company started building the pipeline through the Standing Rock Sioux tribe’s land, destroying their sacred sites, like their burial ground. It would be the same as, in my opinion, constructing a pipeline that goes through a grave yard. When you put it in terms like that, I’m sure more people would actually care, and realize how disrespectful that is. Also, not only does the pipeline directly affect the tribe, it could pollute local sources of drinking water. So, not only does it just effect the people of the tribe, it also can effect the people using the same water source.
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Pipeline should not be able to go through someone’s property. People pay for land and to own and they should be able to control what is going on. Construction companies need to have alternative routes to make sure everyone is satisfied. Also having the pipeline next to public water is bad for the health as well. The standing Rock Sioux is being threatened because they both have cultural site damage and burial site damage. People need to have control for their land and not construction people.
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I believe that the tribes land is not important any more because of how the land is being used now and the tribe Sioux is doing nothing productive with the land. It is the 21st century and we should start using our land for a purpose. We should give the tribe money and build the pipeline without the protesters being involved.
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I believe that there are pros and cons to any decision that can be made. The decision to go on with the project would negatively impact the tribes water supply and it would be very costly. On the other hand, going on with this project would help transport oil. I do not think that there is a right decision to be made but I think they will go on with the project and they will be successful in doing so.
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The pipe line is obviously going to to have an impact on peoples lives. I don’t think that the pipeline should be able to go thought peoples land. The people pay for the land and they don’t deserve to have their land torn up especially is its something they will not support. The protesters should not be punished for them trying to save their land, and trying to stop something they do not want. Since pipeline should be done, is being done, there could be a way to move it around the “protective” land of the Sioux tribe.
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This pipeline is a huge project that will supply oil to thousands of people. Even though there are people being benefited by the pipeline, the Sioux Tribe is being negatively affected. The pipeline has the potential to burst and contaminate the land and water of these people. A better option to make peace with the tribe and the protesters would be to make a new route around this territory for the pipeline. This is one of the only options since the pipeline is already 60 percent complete into a 3.8 billion dollar project.
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With the pipeline already being 60% completed it would be costly for the company to rebuild the pipeline.The Sioux Tribe unfortunately will be affected by this pipeline and are worried that this might contaminate their water. This pipeline will affect someone somewhere eventually because the pipeline will be built. With the pipeline having to cross the river it would leave the risk of it bursting contaminating the river. The benefit to this pipeline being built is lowering the cost of oil. I think that pipeline should be built and done properly to prevent the risk of the pipe bursting.
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As there is negatives and positives for this case. The negatives are on the natives that live in the area where they are trying to build the pipelines. And the positives is the amount of money the company for the oil. They already put so much money into the pipeline to be laid down. I feel that they shouldn’t be able to lay down the pipeline in this area if the locals don’t want them to. I feel like they are going to do what ever they have to do to lay down the pipe and it’s scary to see how far this will go.
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I believe that we do not have the right at all to invade the Sioux Tribes’ land. The laying of the pipeline itself has already affected the land so much as it is only at 60% completion. In addition, the Sioux Tribe fears that their water will be contaminated from this pipeline, and there is no proof to say it will not be. If the pipeline bursts while over there water supply, who knows what will happen, and if anyone will come to help. The only benefit, like many have commented is that it lowers the cost of oil. However, it will increase the risk and tarnished livelihood of the Sioux Tribe and its people. Although I am sure there are good men and women at work creating this pipeline, there is still room for error and this error could cause major problems.
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Although I think it’s morally wrong to destroy the tribe’s cultural sites and burial grounds, I believe the pipeline will be built. The access to oil is a necessity for the majority of the country. Money always rules in these situations it seems. The company also said it was a safer way to transport oil, rather than driving. I think contingency plans must be installed to prevent people from being seriously affected by the water pollution. The government and drilling company should be held accountable for the pollution issues and supply residents with clean drinking water.
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I would say that the construction companies do have a good idea by wanting to use the land but it’s not fair to the land owners. The people who have been occupying the land should have the right to say no to the workers and companies trying to lay the pipe. Not only would the pipeline be disrupting the groups living there, but it could also affect their water and farmlands. It’s a good idea to transport the resources but not good for the people or their personal resources. In the end, I would have to disagree with the idea, solely because of the route that they are taking.
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The biggest problem right now is that they are trying to build a pipeline in someones property and another concern is their drinking water. Whether is is the Sioux Tribe or near by landowners I do not think the oil company has a right to build it there. To the other side of things, this might be the only place they can put the pipeline. If there was not a way to be sure the drinking water was safe then there no way would they be able to build there. I do believe that having the pipeline there is definitely going to happen whether people want it there or not because it is safer there then transporting it every day. Also, it will help businesses and bring the price of oil down. Honestly I do not agree or disagree with what is going to happen with this project.
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It is understandable why the oil companies want to install a pipeline across the country. The pipeline will save them a lot of money in transporting oil. It seems odd that Energy Transfer Partners were capable of obtaining federal permits for the project. Most of the pipeline is constructed through private property. However, the land of the Sioux tribe should not have been overlooked. The plan should have been dealt with and revised regarding the trespassing on Indian reservation land. In my opinion, Energy Transfer Partners have a responsibility to respect the wishes of the Sioux tribe and reroute the pipeline around the Indian reservation.
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I do not believe that we should be taking their land. I also believe that this land should be put to good use. I guess you could say that i am in the middle, the Sioux Indians as well as all the other Indian reservations ere specifically set aside for them and their families and we shouldn’t be able to take that away from them. On the other hand it is the 21st century and we should have to have unused good land.
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I think that the pipeline is obviously bad for the environment and the communities but money rule the world nowadays, so it will be done. So, it doesn’t matter if people like it or not, if it’s not morally or ethically correct, it will be done. Personally it doesn’t affect me, but this pipeline will look awful first of all, go through water, and god forbid something happens under water with that pipeline…
So, my honest opinion is that obviously it’s not a good idea. Lots of people are really unhappy with the project and a lot more will if it will be finished. But no one who is in charge of the project or anyone who approved it cares, of course. They only see dollar signs.
Craziest thing is, what if this project gets like 90% percent completed and then people in charge will just say “oh, we don’t have more money anymore, bye” (as it happens pretty often in our today’s world unfortunately) and leave this huge metal pipe lying across the country just taking up space and ruining the environment and the scenery for thousands of people.. Not good.
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I don’t think they should be aloud to go through the sioux land, there must be alternatives to go around them even if it costs more money. Also they shouldn’t be aloud to place the pipeline through landowners land without permission or compensation. If you own your own land you shouldn’t be muscled off of it if you don’t want to to make space for a pipeline. They need to find a way to compromise with all parties or they should have to find a way to place the pipeline around the effected parties, it isn’t fair to to muscle people off of their land if they own it.
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The sad truth that people do not want to believe is that we use oil in our everyday lives whether it’s too fuel our cars or maybe even heat our homes. So if there is a demand for oil, which there evidently is, then we indeed have no other choice than extracting it from the ground. Hence the pipeline needs to go somewhere and in this case it happens to go thru the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s land and they are not happy about it, and if I was in the same boat I’d be mad too. I do believe putting this pipeline there is a cruel thing to do but you cannot move the oil and that is where the pipeline needs to go, it’s simply what needs to be done. The only solution for this situation would be if America made the change over to clean energy and with any luck this will happen within my lifetime.
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It is a very difficult decision that people have to decide on because we have a huge need for oil. But on the other side of this we are running pipelines in people properties and it is causing problems with drinking water and other hazards. I believe that we need to run these lines because we need this product but there has to be a better solution to where we place it. I also think that maybe properties who have the line in there property should get a benefit like receiving money or something for having it. Its a tough subject but I believe that the little affect of people is nothing compared to the amount of oil we need in the US.
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When being faced with this situation I believe the means of how the Government went about this was completely wrong. Not including Standing Rock Sioux tribe in this pipeline installation process was a major mistake and could of been handled a lot better. With the Sioux Tribe being effected the most in water and sacred sites that are being destroyed, their say in this situation should be prioritized. I do see the reasoning behind this pipeline as to how much it will benefit the constant battle of Oil but the way of going about this major project should be changed.
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I believe the government should not be allowed to put the access pipe on land that they agreed to not touch with a treaty in 1851. This land has been sacred for many years and I am sure the government could find a solution where the pipe would not interfere with tribal land. It may cost more money, but its something that has to be considered because of the environmental circumstances.
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As all else stated, this is a quite a difficult decision. While I understand the needs for oil as a daily commodity for the millions of people in America, I can also see the importance this land for those whom inhabit it. The construction of this pipeline through this land would be an act that could be interpreted as a violation and stance of disregard for the culture and historical significance of these people. In the article above, it stated that the construction of this pipeline has already caused the degradation of the historical significance of the land, and disrespected the sanctity of their burial grounds.
I believe that an alternative route should be assessed if possible and it acceptable then pursued. If it is not my only hope is that this conflict comes to some sort of resolution that doesn’t completely screw the people whom own the land. I can support the stance of history over profit, so long as it is with legitimacy. I also believe is the protection of the environment. Makes me feel good when I go to close my eyes at night.
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When anyone health is at risk, then the notions to build something shouldn’t even be a question. Knowing that these families have children, and knowing that their health is more fragile and crucial then the notion to even create something like that should be exiled. Even though oil has become a need for vehicles to function and move, Native Americans have been brutally assimilated and abused by Americans for decades. History would be repeating itself if they go through with this process that could affect them on a whole different level.
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This pipeline is going to cause harm to many people in its way. Like stated in the article this pipeline is going to go through many private lands and affect many people. The government should not be allowed to do this or have access to take over land that isn’t theirs. The Sioux Tribe is going to be greatly affected if this pipeline is put down. Their water supply is going to be basically destroyed. I believe that the government could have talked to these people and let them know exactly what was going to happen with the pipeline, especially when it is going through their land. I believe that the government could have gone about this situation very differently.
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I feel that the pipeline is going to be a huge problem in the area they are building in because there is a lot of residents nearby. The pipeline can cause major damage to the human life and the wild life in the area. They are building a pipeline through a huge Indian reservation and they are basically destroying their water supply and making it tough for them to grow crops.
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I don’t believe that this pipeline should be approved because although it will help enormous amounts of Americans, it is not a necessity for us like the water and land of this tribe that owns the land. It is their land and isn’t right for anyone to come in and take another man’s wealth. Especially when they are not given anything in return. Money, more land, more fresh water, the list can go on and on. The risk of ruining and contaminating more water when America is currently in such a poor shape as far as clean water supply goes doesn’t seem to be a big enough payoff when the reward is simply oil. Something we already have, and quite honestly, can live without. Once we start focusing on alternative resources, these issues will become non issues.
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I feel that both parties are in the right. I feel that we should not dig up someone else land and home. But I also understand that by having this pipeline it will help a numerous amount of people. I feel that both parties should come to an agreement on to where to put the pipeline, so they both parties can win. I feel the people of the land should be compensated for digging up their land and we should be allowed to if we are giving a compensation. I feel both parties will win if their are incentives.
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I am in the middle when it comes to this heated topic, I can see the pros and cons to both sides of the pipeline. I understand where the owners of the property are coming from when it comes to doing work on their property without their approval, but I can also understand why we need the pipeline. I think since the project is already more than half way completed, nothing will stop them from finishing it, however in the future I think we have the resources to find an alternative route that way we don’t have to cause controversy and ruin peoples property. People care about their property and if that was my property, I wouldn’t want all that construction and tearing up of my land done without my permission.
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With this situation there only can be benefits from one side. But in my belief I the Alaskan Pipeline should be removed and put through another part of the country. The Sioux don’t deserve this in the main land. Even though the movement of a big scale project such as these pipelines don’t come cheap in any way. Plus the Sioux never gave them permission to excavate on there land. With is unlawful even though money speaks with these types of projects. So in all the Sioux shouldn’t have to deal with any of these projects because they should be stopped in the near future for the respect if the land.
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The pipeline in North Dakota provides a lot of benefit providing oil to Texas and having a large amount of oil to convert into energy. Some people however such as the Sioux tribe are protesting against it because it is running right thru their camps.They have a right to be since they are loosing water along with anyone along the Mississippi river. The camps of Indian people have dealt with this suffering and are noticeable about it since they are the largest tribe still in the United States. The pipeline may have effected them but the pipeline tried to go through more of a private type of area rather than major areas.
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I believe that what they are doing is unethical and they should not proceed with doing it. Especially when they began the process with the Standing Rock Sioux tribe never adequately being consulted on the project. Also, it threatens their water supply which is a huge part of their living situation and survival as a tribe. Not only is it hurting the Standing Rock Sioux tribe it is affecting and interfering with millions of people downstream from the pipeline. I understand that it is already 60% of the way completed and that it is creating an easier and safer way to transport the oil, but it does not give them the right to threaten someones land, home and living space of millions of people.
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In this particular case the pipeline only benefits one side of the argument. The pipeline effects the living conditions of the Sioux, which is crucial for survival. The pipeline will create an easier and “safer” way of transporting oil but it should not give them the right to enter someone else’s land without their permission.
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Con’t- moving the pipeline around the reserve may be more costly but it will allow both sides to be somewhat happy. In this situation both sides will not be happy with the final decision but in the case of moving the pipeline around the reserve will atlas give them compromise.
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This decision is hard to make it hurts a group of people either way. There are both positives and negatives on each side. On one hand the company has already paid a lot of money to lay down the pipe that they have but on the other it is people’s property and they should have control over what happen to it. There is also a big need for oil in this Country so it would benefit the greater good not just the company
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