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Environmental Concerns: Among the environmental concerns in building the Dakota Access Pipeline are the affects it will have on animal species. "The critically endangered whooping crane is at risk of flying into new power lines," according to the National Wildlife Federation, power lines that "would be constructed to keep oil pumping." Additionally, the swift fox is at risk; though other species have been named, these are among the two most highlighted among animal activist groups. NatGeo Environ Concerns Additionally, there have been several species of vegetarian that some are worried will be in danger due to the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, both grassland and wetland species, detailed in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Environmental Assessment Grassland and Wetland Easement Crossings. Although the assessment noted that Sunoco Logistics would minimize damage during construction, activists have had outspoken concern about the potential damage to animal and vegetation species in the area. DAPL Assessment

In regards to water quality, one of the primary concerns for protestors is regarding the possibility of oil spills. The DAPL Wetland Assessment argues that the possibility of an oil spill is an "unlikely event," though protestors generally do not find this credible with the high history of oil spills in the U.S. (DAPL Assessment)

A continuing concern of those focused on environmental impact of the Dakota Access Pipeline is that the pipeline, in general, may "increase our reliance on, and use, of fossil fuels, and further delay investment in more renewable technologies." NatGeo Environ Concerns One petition against the pipeline argues that "the Dakota Access pipeline would fuel climate change" in addition to delaying investment in renewable energy. (CREDO Petition)

The company heading the Dakota Access Pipeline project, Sunoco Logistics, has been responsible for oils as recently as October of 2016. (Fortune)

DAP Wetlands Assessments https://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/DAPL%20EA.pdf

-- Protests: Protests against the Dakota Access pipeline have continued into Mr. Trump's presidency. In late January after Trump's inauguration, more than 70 protestors were arrested in North Dakota, near the proposed route. Protest camps remain stationed at various sites throughout the length of the route. (NPR)

On a larger scale, the city of Seattle "cut ties" with Wells Fargo due to the pipeline. According to a Fortune report, "Seattle will decline a 2018 contract renewal for financial services and halt investments in Wells Fargo securities for at least three years." (FORTUNE) The decline is due to the bank's decision to lend to the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Wells Fargo is one of 17 banks lending to the project; Seattle is the only city to currently cut ties with a lending bank due to the DAPL project, though on February 12, 2017, New York City Mayor de Blasio noted his interest in potentially cutting ties with Wells Fargo as well. (WT)

The DAPL protests reached international news outlets in 2016 and continue to do so. Pope Francis made an appearance on February 15, 2017, to make a statement about the Dakota Access Pipeline. In his statement, the Pope said that native and indigenous cultures should be allowed to defend "their ancestral relationship to the Earth." (REUTERS)

Although there was rumor as to whether some protestors would defy the deadline to leave camps, set by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the protestors did respect the deadline. The last protest camp went up in flames on February 22, 2017, done so deliberately as a leaving ceremony. (Time) -- Construction:

On February 13, 2017, a federal judge temporarily rejected a request to block the Dakota pipeline's construction. U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg, stated in his decision that "there would not be any risk of immediate harm until oil starts flowing." (WP)