Central ND News

Eight years ago, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to expedite the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). The order reversed a decision by the Obama administration to halt the project, which had faced delays due to environmental and tribal concerns. 

The memorandum, issued by Trump in January 2017, instructed the Army Corps of Engineers to “review and approve in an expedited manner” any necessary easements or permits for the project. It also emphasized that construction projects like the DAPL should use “materials and equipment produced in the United States, to the maximum extent possible.”

During the signing, Trump stated, “We will build our own pipelines. We will build our own pipes,” adding, “Like we used to in the old days.”

The DAPL is a 1,172-mile underground pipeline that transports crude oil from the Bakken oil fields in North Dakota to a terminal in Patoka, Illinois.

In 2016, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved most of the DAPL project, but in December 2016, the Corps refused to grant an easement for construction under Lake Oahe, citing the need for further environmental review. Trump's order directed the Corps to grant the easement, allowing construction to proceed. 

Trump’s memorandum stated, “I believe that construction and operation of lawfully permitted pipeline infrastructure serve the national interest.” 

It directed federal agencies to prioritize and accelerate the review process for the pipeline and similar infrastructure projects.

The signing was one of several early actions by the Trump administration to promote domestic energy production and streamline infrastructure projects. 

Trump also emphasized reducing regulatory barriers, saying, “We are going to renegotiate some of the terms, and if they’d like, we’ll see if we can get that pipeline built.”

The DAPL was completed and began operations in June 2017.

The protests of 2016 and 2017 aimed to halt the construction of the reported $3.8 billion pipeline and “drew thousands of people to camp out” in Morton County, the Associated Press reported.

The protests resulted in 761 arrests, according to MPR News. Charges ranged from trespassing to more severe offenses. A significant number of those arrested were from out of state.

California resident and actress Shailene Woodley was arrested in October 2016. Other figures, including actors Mark Ruffalo and Leonardo DiCaprio, participated in the protests but were not arrested.

Certain days of the protests resulted in dozens of arrests, such as February 1, 2017, when 76 people were arrested after Morton County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Rob Keller said a “rogue group of protesters” had trespassed on private property.

The State of North Dakota is currently suing the federal government to “recoup $38 million it claims it spent policing the protest camps,” Source NM reported.