Case Study: The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the environmentalist and local citizens raised high concerns about the potential health and environmental consequences of oil spills, because after many research’s pipelines always leak. The pipeline can contaminate the Missouri River, which supplies drinking water for millions of Americans households and irrigation supply for thousands of acres farming lands. The Native American tribe is concerned about the vicinity of the pipeline to their reservation. They are also concerned that the construction could disrupt their sacred ancestral burial grounds, [and some other cultural significance.] The pipeline will be 30-inch in height, which would range around 1,172-miles long covering at least four US states starting from Stanly, North Dakota to Pakota, Illinois. Many people have joined the fight with the tribe in defending their water rights and sacred grounds from assault by corporate interests and government salivating at the promised tax revenue, but so far, they have been stopped at every turn. Hundreds of people gather together to protest on the construction of the pipeline. The tribe, environmentalist and some news journalist have faced significant brutality from police and private military and even by the national guards.
Per their websites, frequently asked questions page, the pipeline is the safest method for transporting oil rather than transporting it on rail cars or trucks. The pipeline would carry up to 570,000 barrels of domestically produced oil each day. The company also says it has met with tribal leaders many times over the past two years, and that most of the pipeline route is through private land and runs parallel to an existing natural gas line. The Standing Rock Sioux claims that meaningful consultations with their leaders were never held and that their concerns have been