Pipeline oil, and protests, keep flowing at Dakota Access pipeline.
Judge orders more hearings on Dakota Access review WASHINGTON — Oil will continue to flow through the underground Dakota Access pipeline during the summer while authorities conduct additional review of the environmental impact, after a judge Wednesday ordered more court hearings.
The tribes said the 1,170-mile pipeline that starts in North Dakota and ends at a hub in Illinois — crossing 18 counties in Iowa along the way — violates their hunting, fishing and environmental rights.
On Wednesday, Boasberg set out a schedule of hearings that will decide what will happen to the line while additional review is completed.
The pipeline began commercially shipping crude oil June 1.
The company said Wednesday it was “pleased with the judge’s decision” for operations to continue while the process “unfolds.” We make it easy to stay connected: Follow @TwitterDev Subscribe to our email newsletters Download our free apps The Native American tribes have been protesting the line’s construction for more than a year, notably near Cannon Ball, N.D.
Opponents argued that the route threatens tribal drinking water supplies where it crosses the Missouri River and disrupts sacred lands.
Thousands of protesters from around the world gathered at a “spirit camp” near the river crossing, many enduring a bitter Plains winter before disbanding when the disputed river segment was bored underground.
Earlier this month, Iowa regulators scolded the pipeline developers after they allowed documents showing they had the required $25 million worth of insurance to lapse.
Additionally, environmentalists asked the state regulators to shut down the pipeline pending the new environmental review.