The Pipeline Is Expected To Be Rerouted

The pipeline was not stopped, but rather has been rerouted - even though it's already been built directly in front of Lake Oahe. With billions of dollars invested in the project and with construction sites still heavily guarded near the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's land, the claims of a reroute leave some on edge.

"the Corps will be undertaking an environmental impact statement to look at possible alternative routes"

Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault II said "Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that it will not be granting the easement to cross Lake Oahe for the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline. Instead, the Corps will be undertaking an environmental impact statement to look at possible alternative routes."

As reported by campers on the scene, Morton County Police and construction presence are near the campsites even as the Army Corps makes their decision to halt the current route.

The Decision Could Be Appealed

The tribes understand this could all be reset as soon as Trump's inauguration sets in and will be monitoring the new administration closely. At any point the president elect and his cabinet can challenge the actions and try to appeal them. “They [Energy Transfer Partners] can sue, and Trump can try to overturn,” Jan Hasselman, an attorney for the Standing Rock Sioux tribe said to The Guardian. “But overturning it would be subject to close scrutiny by a reviewing court, and we will be watching the new administration closely.”

Under A Trump Presidency The Project Is Certain To Continue

Under President Trump the Dakota Access Pipeline project is destined to continue. Harold Hamm, Trump's energy adviser, is CEO of Continental Resources which will be relying on the pipeline for the oil they obtain through fracking that will need to be transported. Additionally, Trump's investment portfolio includes up to a million in Dakota Access Pipeline stock and an additional $250,000 in Phillips 66 which owns a fourth of the Dakota Access Pipeline's stock.

"Today, Mr. Trump expressed his support for the Dakota Access Pipeline, which has met or exceeded all environmental standards set forth by four states and the Army Corps of Engineers," Republican North Dakota Senator John Hoeven said in a statement on December 1st.

The last time the Obama administration announced an injunction and placed a voluntary halt on the project, the construction for the pipeline began speeding up and continued far into the night.