A not-bad article from the mainstream (albeit local) media. Even though generally sympathetic to the occupation, it makes this statement stand without illumination: “And he noted that the pipeline company has followed the law and regulations in its work.” The laws and regulations, or the fraudulent misapplication of same, are at the rotten heart of the issue. In the use of this case the abuse of Nationwide Permit 12 to skirt meaningful environmental review.
https://www.desmogblog.com/2016/09/08/dakota-access-pipeline-big-oil-nationwide-permit-12
Nestle
https://www.democracynow.org/2016/2/17/michigans_water_wars_nestle_pumps_millions