The Dakota Access Pipeline Project (DAPL) may not be something you have heard of. That is definitely a bad thing. The news isn't talking about all the potential dangers of allow this pipeline to be completed. Lucky for you, you have someone who wants to help enlighten you on the severity of the situation.
First off, the dakota access pipeline is something they are trying to build to allow crude oil to get from the Bakken and Three Forks production areas in North Dakota to existing pipelines in Illinois. The idea is that this will allow states all across the nation access to this crude oil, effectively lowering gas prices and allowing the US to become relatively self-dependant in terms of our oil consumption thereby assisting in the elimination of our nations massive debt.
As great as this sounds, it comes with MANY risks. Such as the Effect on the Eco-System. This land that the DAPL project will effect, isn't just a little bit of land, that no one has heard of or ever visits; it's spanning across three states. It would destroy eco-systems in all three of these states. Not to mention the effects it could have on the Missouri River if it ruptured or leaked. The Missouri River is a source of water for a lot of people and this pipeline would flow right over top of it.
Secondly, they are stealing land away from the Native Americans. AGAIN. Here's the deal, we forced them to accept this land when we invaded their country i nthe first place, and now we are trying to steal it away from them again. According to treaties and laws, this land belongs to these Natives, and they have buried their loved ones on that land and now they are trying to bulldoze over them.
Now the Natives have gone to court. In most circumstances, the government would put a hold on all further construction work until the case was closed. In most circumstances, the government would side with the Natives and give them back their land. Unfortunately, this is not the case. They haven't halted contruction, they haven't awarded the Natives their land back yet, and they aren't expediting the court case.
Basically the whole situation is a disgusting mess and my only question is why haven't we learned from the mistakes we have made. I for one am highly disappointed. If you would like to sign the petition to get this to stop, please click here.
