Huge Victory: Court Finds Approval of Dakota Access Pipeline Violated the Law

A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration must conduct additional environmental review of the Dakota Access Pipeline, handing a limited victory to Native American tribes fighting the administration’s decision to move forward with the project. In an extensive opinion, Washington, DC District Court Judge James Boasberg sided with the tribes by agreeing the Army Corps of Engineers “did not consider the impacts of an oil spill on fishing rights, human rights, or environmental justice.” “This decision marks an important turning point,” said Earthjustice attorney Jan Hasselman. “Until now, the rights of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe have been disregarded by the builders of the Dakota Access Pipeline and the Trump administration—prompting a well-deserved global outcry. The federal courts have stepped in where our political systems have failed to protect the rights of Native communities.” Boasberg did not order a shutdown of operations on the pipeline,…

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