Next ‘fight’ over Dakota pipeline may be in court

Celebrations are underway in North Dakota over news that the Army Corps of Engineers have denied a permit for the construction of a key segment of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The new plan, to do an environmental impact study and search for alternative routes. 

Members of the Sioux tribe and their supporters have been camped out for months to voice their concerns that the plan to construct the pipeline under Lake Oahe would damage their primary water source.

It’s a battle that has captured and held the attention of people all over the nation,  even 1,700 miles away in Salisbury, Md. Dr. Sarah Surak, a political science professor at Salisbury University said she’s cautiously optimistic about what will happen next with the pipeline.

“It doesn’t mean that (the pipeline) can’t happen it just means that this has slowed down the potential for it to happen,” Surak said.

Senior at Salisbury, Karolyne Calixto, was also cautious. Calixto comparing the move to a temporary fix.

“It’s kind of saying we’re not going to promise anything we’re just going to try and guide your view into a more positive light,” Calixto said. “I feel like it’s a diversionary effect.”

Some of the main backers of the pipeline seem to agree with Calixto, believing this latest injunction won’t spell the end for the pipeline. Energy Transfer Partners, a primary stakeholder in the operation, said Monday in a statement that they are still fully committed to ensuring the project is completed as is without any additional rerouting in and around Lake Oahe. The Trump administration has also announced their commitment to seeing the pipeline finished. 

Going forward Surak said the battle may not be fought by protestors, but rather by attorneys.   

“The next step will be how this will be used in courts and what the federal court system might do or how they might react to this sort of injunction,” Surak said. 

Surak adds the next move for supporters is to stay alert and spread awareness for the matter.