In December 2016, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers blocked the Dakota Access Pipeline from crossing under Lake Oahe. The Corps formally denied an easement, halting crucial construction steps near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation . Assistant Secretary Jo‑Ellen Darcy stated the move would allow time for an environmental impact study and consideration of alternative routes . The decision drew nationwide attention—celebrated by protestors and tribal leaders and applauded by environmental advocates .
The Army Corps of Engineers has decided to deny a permit to construct a key section of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
The decision essentially halts the construction on the 1,172-mile oil pipeline about half a mile south of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. The decision is also a victory for the thousands of demonstrators across the country who flocked to North Dakota in protest.
“Our prayers have been answered,” National Congress of Indigenous Americans President Brian Cladoosby said in a statement. “This isn’t over, but it is enormously good news. All tribal peoples have prayed from the beginning for a peaceful solution, and this puts us back on track.”
Wrapping Up
The decision came after months of protests led by the Standing Rock Sioux Indigenous Americans. It was also supported by a diverse coalition of environmentalists, veterans, and also Indigenous rights activists. Demonstrators raised concerns about the potential for an oil spill to contaminate the Missouri River, which serves as a critical water source for millions. They also highlighted the lack of proper tribal consultation during the pipeline’s planning and permitting process.
By denying the easement, the Army Corps acknowledged these concerns and opened the door for a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)—a more rigorous review process than previously undertaken. The announcement marked a temporary victory for the Water Protectors at Standing Rock, who had endured freezing temperatures and confrontations with law enforcement to draw attention to the issue.
While the denial did not permanently stop the pipeline, it signaled a shift in how federal agencies weighed environmental justice and tribal sovereignty. For many, it also demonstrated the power of peaceful protest, grassroots organizing, and broad-based coalition-building. In the months that followed, the decision became a flashpoint in the national debate over fossil fuel infrastructure, Indigenous land rights, and the role of government agencies in protecting both people and the planet.
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