In Response to Standing Rock Protests, Construction of Dakota Access Pipeline Will Be Re-Routed

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stepped in.

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After weeks of protests, news is breaking that construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline will stop. CNN reports that the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers won't approve an easement allowing the pipeline to go under Lake Oahe in North Dakota.

Jo-Ellen Darcy, the Army's assistant secretary for civil works, said in a press release that the decision was based on the need to explore alternate routes.

"Although we have had continuing discussion and exchanges of new information with the Standing Rock Sioux and Dakota Access, it's clear that there's more work to do," Darcy said. "The best way to complete that work responsibly and expeditiously is to explore alternate routes for the pipeline crossing."

Any alternate route would be chosen with full consideration of its environmental impact and would involve public input and analysis, Darcy said.

The Standing Rock Sioux tribe released a statement exploring their gratitude to the Obama Administration for its support.

Standing Rock Chairman Archambault spoke to reporters about the issue, saying, "I would say that it's over."

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Kayleigh Roberts
Weekend Editor

Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of professional experience. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.