BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Dakota Access Pipeline Faces Uncertain Future as Federal Officials Release Draft Environmental Review
After three years, federal officials have finally released a draft environmental review of the controversial Dakota Access oil pipeline. However, the decision regarding the pipeline’s river crossing in North Dakota remains uncertain, as authorities seek further input on the matter.
The release of the draft comes as a result of a federal judge’s order for an environmental review, which led to the revocation of the permit for the pipeline’s crossing over the Missouri River, near the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s reservation. The tribe continues to voice concerns about potential oil spills and the contamination of their water supply.
While North Dakota officials support the pipeline’s continued operation, the tribe is calling for a new review and a shutdown of the pipeline. The final decision on the pipeline’s future depends on the environmental review and whether the federal government reissues the permit. It is worth noting that the pipeline has been in operation since 2017, even during the ongoing environmental review.
The draft environmental impact statement, released for public viewing on Friday, outlines five potential options. These options range from denying the easement for the river crossing to rerouting the pipeline to a location north of Bismarck. The latter option would require new permits and could take up to two years to implement. However, the exact details of this potential reroute are still unknown.
Public input and feedback from other agencies will influence the final decision-making process. The Army Corps of Engineers, in charge of reviewing the draft, will consider all input received before making a final determination.
Commentary from the public on the various alternatives outlined in the draft will be accepted until November 13. Additionally, public meetings are scheduled to take place in Bismarck on November 1-2. Following the public input period and environmental analysis, a final environmental impact statement will be produced, leading to the formal decision-making process.
Senator John Hoeven expressed his expectation that a final alternative will be released in the fall of 2024. He hopes for a decision that allows the pipeline to continue operating without modifications, emphasizing that safety measures are already in place.
Tribal Chairwoman Janet Alkire, on the other hand, called for the draft review to be invalidated and for the Corps to start a new review process, ultimately leading to the shutdown of the pipeline. She highlighted concerns about the pipeline’s potential impact on the Missouri River and the lack of transparency in the environmental review process.
Governor Doug Burgum, a Republican, supports the granting of the previously issued easement. He believes the pipeline is a safe operation and a preferable method of transportation compared to rail.
It is important to note that both state and federal officials, as well as the pipeline company, maintain that the oil pipeline is safe. The pipeline plays a crucial role in North Dakota’s oil industry, providing a more efficient means of transporting oil compared to rail. The pipeline currently moves approximately 600,000 to 650,000 barrels of oil per day, with a capacity of 750,000 barrels per day. North Dakota itself produces about 1.1 million barrels of oil per day.
The US Supreme Court declined to hear the tribe’s appeal regarding the pipeline last year. The tribe initially filed a lawsuit in 2016, and protests against the pipeline’s construction lasted for months, resulting in hundreds of arrests.
The future of the Dakota Access oil pipeline remains uncertain as federal officials gather more input and conduct further analysis of the potential environmental impact. The final decision will have significant implications for both the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the state of North Dakota as they weigh the environmental risks and economic benefits of the pipeline’s continued operation.
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