This pipeline was fully approved yeas ago, and only recently did the Obama Administration pull the approval for political reasons just before the election.  My gosh, they have already spent $3.5 billion to build it, and only have a few miles more to complete.  No one spends that kind of money without already having the necessary approvals and permits.  Oh, and the water intake of the Standing Rock Tribe is 60 miles downstream.   This pipeline runs parallel to an existing gas pipeline.  The oil from the Bakken in North Dakota, now is being moved by railcars which directly cross the tribal lands and the same Missouri River.  A rail car crash/derailment would be a far worse environmental disaster.  Warren Buffet's railroad moves the oil now, and WB was a big supporter of Obama.  The good sisters quoted in this story need to read the court testimony.  Thank God we still have a nation of laws.