Federal Court Rules U.S. Must Compensate North Dakota Nearly $28 Million for Pipeline Protest Damages
April 24 (UPI) — In a significant legal victory for North Dakota, a federal judge has ruled that the U.S. government must pay the state nearly $28 million in damages related to the contentious Dakota Access oil pipeline protests that took place between 2016 and 2017. U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Traynor delivered his ruling on Wednesday, siding with North Dakota’s claims of negligence, gross negligence, civil trespass, and public nuisance against the federal government.
“This is a major win for North Dakota taxpayers and the rule of law,” stated North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong and Attorney General Drew Wrigley, both Republicans. They emphasized that the Obama administration’s decisions effectively fueled the protests and resulted in significant financial and public safety repercussions for the state.
The protests, initiated by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, attracted widespread attention from August 2016 to March 2017 as activists set up encampments by the Cannonball and Missouri rivers. The crux of North Dakota’s claims centered on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ allegedly improper use of a Special Use Permit, which allowed protesters to gather on federal land.
Judge Traynor noted that the Corps did not properly issue the permit, which hindered law enforcement’s ability to manage the protests. He criticized the Corps for effectively encouraging the protest actions that led to extensive damage, including hazardous waste accumulations and confrontations with law enforcement.
"The federal government abandoned its duty," Traynor remarked, emphasizing the dire consequences of its inaction. The ruling not only demands financial compensation but also underscores the responsibilities of the federal government toward state safety.
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