The Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) Case

Dakota Access Pipeline Name Institutional Affiliation Dakota Access Pipeline The Dakota Access Pipeline project was a proposed crude oil pipeline construction project, running from Bakken and Three Forks in North Dakota to Illinois. The 1,168-mile long pipeline was meant to ease the transportation of crude oil to North and South Dakota, Lowa, and Illinois (Kennedy, 2017). However, several environmental issues arose from the proposal since the pipeline was meant to run through federal owned lands at Lake Oahe in Emmons and Morton counties and federal flowage easements close to the upper end of Lake Sakakawea. The project raised concern regarding the possibilities of a leakage, which would contaminate the lakes that are considered fishing grounds, the source of drinking water, hunting and religious practices. According to the complaints by Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (SRST) and several tribal governments, the construction of the pipeline below the lakes would be of high risks since any leakage or oil spill could contaminate the water, which they use as drinking water. Aside from the lakes, the project is also expected to have an impact on the geology and soils, groundwater, vegetation, wildlife, aquatic life, cultural resources, air and noise pollution, hazardous waste and socio-economic conditions. On a sustainable environment perspective, the project would be useful to the company and government since it increases the profits from the sale of crude oil. However, the environmental and social threats that emerge from the construction can also bring about long-term effects to the communities and natural resources within the areas. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the Dakota Access Pipeline case at a sustainable environment perspective and evaluate the possible measures to help in the construction of the project while minimizing the risks to the environment and the community. Social and Economic effects of the Project To begin with, the legal system acknowledged that the construction of the project would be of great advantage to the population around the area economic wise. The $3.78 billion project would create twelve thousand jobs, which will mainly be given to local, regional and national individuals (Dakota Access, LLC, 2016). The income generated from the construction would benefit the governments through tax revenues, as well as valorem taxes worth $13.4 million (Dakota Access, LLC, 2016). Therefore, the opponents of the projec...