In Cannon Ball, North Dakota, the US Army Corps of Engineers denied to grant easement on the Dakota Access oil pipeline. This decision favored a victory to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and all of there supporters. The pipeline protesters argued that the oil pipeline would threaten the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation's water source and cultural sites, such as property, ceremony sites, and sacred burial grounds. Some 250 veterans arrived to support the protesters and block the route. The $3.8 billion four-state project is almost complete except for the blocked segment under Lake Oahe. Gov. Jack Dalrymple of North Dakota criticizes the decision, calling it a "serious mistake" that "prolongs hundreds of protesters" on the federal land. On the other hand, Assistant Secretary for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy states decisions were based on the need to "explore alternate routes" for pipeline crossings. After the news had spread of the decision on Sunday, hundreds of people began cheering "mni wichoni" which means "water is life" in Lakota Sioux in celebration.
Link to story: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/12/04/feds-block-route-dakota-access-pipeline.html
Questions:
1. Do you support the decision to not permit construction of the oil pipeline? Why or why not?
2. What do you think is more important in this situation? Building a pipeline to gather oil and energy needed to provide to our economy and national security, or respecting the environment of the federal land and the concerns of the Native American Community?
My Opinion:
I support the decision made to help the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and not build the pipeline. I know that there has been lots of cases in which the federal government has broken numerous treaties throughout US history. That is what little land that was given to them in the first place and I think that the least we could do is let them be and respect there concerns. As an active camper and outdoors man, I support the preservation of our natural environment and conservation. I do realize that our country is in a tight spot in our economical situation and I think it's okay to build pipelines, but I think it's better to take in account where you do these projects and remain conservation minded when building.
Replies
Great job overall but you only commented one time.
I don't support because what if the pipe breaks? The oil will go everywhere and will be a complete mess to clean up. It would also take a lot of money to clean up. I would say respecting the land because our environment is already a mess!
I don't think I know enough about this situation to really formulate a specific opinion on this issue. From what I've read, I think that the pipeline has no right to go through the Native American Reservations, because the Native Americans have already been pushed off of their property enough times. I think that the pipeline is pretty important, however they can find a different route even if it costs most money. By finding a different route, they could eliminate issues.
Yes I do because it is rather rude to disrupt land that is important to other people. It irritates me that the government thinks they know all but in reality, they don't understand how important things are to other people. I think that this is something they need to respect. I think that we need to learn to respect other peoples' land and I think we can start by going a different route. I don't think that they would have this problem if they mapped it out beforehand and thought of the issues before the building.
I completely support this decision. Native Americans have been losing land for years and this land is filled with important cultural sites. This tribe deserves to keep their own land and to keep it safe. The federal government breaks many treaties or agreements with Native Americans and it is very unfair. In this case, the environment is more important. The pipeline can be made using an alternate route.
I support the decision to not build the pipeline because these places are important for a reason. If someone went and tried to build a pipeline under Yellowstone, the same thing would probably happen. I think respecting the environment and concerns of the Native American Community because we can always wait a bit on power and water. Plus, the earth is always going to be here and if we hurt it more than is needed, history may be affected.
Yes. Obviously, there was going to be a problem with the oil and water. It was better to stop the problem before it started.
I think protecting the water was better in this situation. There are many different places we get oil from so we could hold it from there until we find a way to not hurt the water.
I concur with you guys. In this scenario, I believe that it is more important to protect the reservation. But what if we asked ourselves? Would things have played out very differently if the pipeline was'n't being built on land that belongs to Native Americans. What if it was being built through a forest or a piece of land that was untouched and protected by environmental agencies. Since there wouldn't be any issues with sacred land, would they have still stopped it from being built?
I support not constructing the oil pipeline! I think that it would take away land from some of the people and I don't think it's write. We shouldn't do that unless we absolutely have to! I think respecting the environment of the federal land and the concerns of the Native American Community!
Yes, I support this decision. I feel like the government should appreciate and respect the tribe's land. I believe that someone can find a alternate option to the pipeline. You can't really move the sacred grounds.
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