Home / Environment / Army Corps Backs Dakota Access Pipeline Operation
Army Corps Backs Dakota Access Pipeline Operation
20 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Corps recommends Dakota Access Pipeline continue operating.
- Environmental Impact Statement cites conditions for operation.
- Tribes have fought the pipeline citing water quality risks.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released a significant Environmental Impact Statement for the Dakota Access Pipeline, recommending its continued operation. This decision represents a step forward for operator Energy Transfer and potentially moves towards resolving a protracted legal dispute with Native American tribes.
The comprehensive EIS outlines conditions for the pipeline's ongoing functionality, including enhanced groundwater monitoring, fish tissue analysis, water and sediment sampling, and the implementation of advanced leak detection technology. These measures aim to mitigate environmental concerns raised by opposition groups.
The pipeline, crucial for transporting oil from the Bakken shale basin, has been operating during this review period. A 2022 court order mandated this detailed EIS following legal challenges from tribes who voiced concerns over water quality impacts at Lake Oahe, a key water source.
