Federal Judge Holds Army Corps Accountable for Dakota Access Pipeline Protests, Awards North Dakota $28 Million
Bismarck, ND – A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. government must pay North Dakota nearly $28 million for costs incurred during the 2016 and 2017 Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) protests. The state had initially sought $38 million, alleging that federal inaction and mismanagement contributed to the financial burden. (apnews.com)
U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor found the Army Corps of Engineers liable for failing to follow mandatory permitting procedures, which he stated led to harm to the state. He emphasized that the Corps’ negligence "opened the gates to North Dakota being damaged by the United States, its agencies, and third parties." (kiowacountypress.net)
The protests, sparked by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s opposition to the pipeline’s Missouri River crossing, drew thousands of demonstrators, resulting in over 700 arrests and extensive resource deployment involving 178 agencies over more than seven months. (apnews.com)
The awarded damages were reduced by earlier contributions from Energy Transfer ($15 million) and a $10 million grant from the U.S. Justice Department. This decision underscores the federal government’s accountability in managing large-scale demonstrations and the importance of adhering to established procedures to prevent such costly outcomes. (apnews.com)
Federal Judge Rules Against Army Corps in DAPL Protest Case:
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
