Last December, opponents of the Dakota Access Pipeline celebrated a major victory as the Army Corps of Engineers denied a final permit to continue construction on the pipeline, with then-Assistant Army Secretary for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy citing the need to explore alternative routes for the pipeline crossing.
All of that changed Tuesday as the Army Corps of Engineers announced that it would allow the controversial Lake Oahe crossing.
Army says it will allow Dakota pipeline to cross under Missouri River reservoir in N.D. as early as Wednesday. https://t.co/ZHDIbgtbt1
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 7, 2017
Breaking: Dept. of Army statement announces approval of DAPL easement #noDAPL #DeFundDAPL pic.twitter.com/2o1DhGeLnQ
— Indigenous Environmental Network (@IENearth) February 7, 2017
The Associated Press reported Tuesday that the Corps “launched a study of the crossing on Jan. 18, two days before Obama left office, that could have taken up to two years to complete” — but an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January directed the Corps to reconsider, and quickly.
Opposition groups were just a quick to promise opposition in both the courts and the streets, with the Indigenous Environmental Network warning the administration to “expect mass resistance far beyond what Trump has seen so far.”
350 and @IENearth respond to #NoDAPL announcement. "Trump will not build his Dakota Access Pipeline without a fight" https://t.co/Z0w7D6Q4zs pic.twitter.com/3usKtR8uIO
— 350 dot org (@350) February 7, 2017
JUST IN: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe says it will challenge Army's granting of easement for Dakota Access oil pipeline.
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) February 7, 2017
MORE: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe says if Dakota Access oil pipeline is completed, "the Tribe will seek to shut the pipeline operations down."
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) February 7, 2017
The #NoDAPL protests attracted plenty of high-profile supporters, including Mark Ruffalo and Jesse Jackson, who burned barricades made of tires and other trash and left behind quite a mess for a group dedicated to protecting the environment.
Dakota Access Pipeline protesters evicted over pollution concerns https://t.co/hvb53XJl8z via @LegInsurrection pic.twitter.com/ShoYfvqIlY
— Chris ?? (@Chris_1791) February 4, 2017
A lot of progressives seemed too distracted by the confirmation of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Tuesday to have made much of a fuss about the pipeline … yet.
It's unacceptable that Trump and the Army chose to ignore the law and allow construction to be completed on the Dakota Access Pipeline. https://t.co/XBk71zbDmK
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) February 7, 2017
President Trump and the Army have chosen to ignore the law and allow the Dakota Access Pipeline to be completed. This cannot stand. #NoDAPL https://t.co/rJRhMIp8vz
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/ShaunKing/status/829067360829050881
Sorry, no time. NEXT.
Army Corp denied request 4 Environmental Impact report 4 Dakota Access Pipeline cuts through hundreds of waterways & risks water 4 millions
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) February 7, 2017
Word is Army Corps is going to approve the Dakota Access. We need everybody able to be there, standing up for our children's future. #NoDAPL
— Emmy Scott (@EmmyNawjoopinga) February 7, 2017
Seattle is on board to divest itself of banks involved in the pipeline’s construction.
Watch LIVE as Seattle Council vote to divest from Wells Fargo. "the goliath can still be taken down" #NoDAPL https://t.co/stBpXoclrR pic.twitter.com/zWS0UiKCYW
— Baratunde (@baratunde) February 7, 2017
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