Thousands of protesters celebrated a major victory in their push to reroute an oil pipeline away from a tribal water source, but pledged to remain camped on federal land in North Dakota. Many recognise that the fight is likely to continue into next year.
A banner referring to the pipeline as a black snake hangs in Oceti Sakowin campStephanie Keith/Reuters
The US Army Corps of Engineers said it rejected an application to allow the Dakota Access Pipeline to tunnel under Lake Oahe, a reservoir formed by a dam on the Missouri River. The decision came after months of protests from Native Americans and climate activists, who argued that the 1,172-mile (1,885km) Dakota Access Pipeline would damage sacred lands and could contaminate the tribe's water source.
The mood at the Oceti Sakowin camp in Cannon Ball, North Dakota was upbeat when the news was announced on Sunday afternoon (4 December). However, with the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump supportive of the project, activists worried a reversal of the decision could be in the offing.
Activists celebrate after learning that permission had been denied to extend the Dakota Access Pipeline beneath a Missouri River reservoirScott Olson/Getty ImagesActivists at Oceti Sakowin Camp celebrate after hearing that the Army Corps of Engineers had denied the planned route for the Dakota Access pipelineJim Watson/AFPOglala Sioux tribal elder Lance King of Pine Ridge, North Dakota listens to speakers during an interfaith ceremony inside the Oceti Sakowin campLucas Jackson/ReutersOglala Sioux tribal elder Lance King's headdress is pictured during celebrations after the Army Corps of Engineers denied permission for the pipeline's planned routeLucas Jackson/ReutersActivists hold hands during a prayer circle as they try to surround the entire Oceti Sakowin CampJim Watson/AFPVeteran activist Dr Cornel West speaks to Chief Arvol Looking Horse of Green Grass South Dakota, who is the spiritual leader of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota Sioux NationsLucas Jackson/ReutersChief Arvol Looking Horse of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota Sioux Nations listens to speakers during an interfaith ceremony at Oceti Sakowin Camp on the edge of the Standing Rock Sioux ReservationScott Olson/Getty ImagesA Native American activist rides down fom a ridge which overlooks Oceti Sakowin CampScott Olson/Getty ImagesFireworks fill the night sky above Oceti Sakowin Camp as activists celebrate the news that permission to route the pipeline under a lake had been deniedScott Olson/Getty Images
The company constructing the pipeline, Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, released a statement slamming the Army Corps' decision as politically motivated and alleging that President Barack Obama's administration was determined to delay the matter until he leaves office.
The pipeline is complete except for a one-mile segment to run under Lake Oahe. That stretch required an easement from federal authorities. The US Army Corps of Engineers said it will analyse possible alternate routes, although any other route is also likely to cross the Missouri River.
The camp's numbers have swelled in recent days, as hundreds of US veterans flocked to North Dakota in support of the protesters. Some of those in a long line of traffic along Highway 1806 heading into the camp hollered and honked their horns after the news was announced.
Cars line up to enter Oceti Sakowin camp near the Standing Rock Indian ReservationStephanie Keith/ReutersSteve Perry from the Odawa tribe displays his Army medal at the Oceti Sakowin campStephanie Keith/ReutersA man makes a sign directing veterans to the check-in area at the Oceti Sakowin campStephanie Keith/ReutersKorean War veteran George Martin, 80, of the Ojibwe tribe from Hopkins, Michigan, stands with other veterans on Backwater Bridge near Cannon Ball, North DakotaTerray Sylvester/ReutersVeterans confront police on Backwater Bridge during ongoing demonstrations against the Dakota Access pipelineLucas Jackson/ReutersMilitary veterans place a flag that says 'one water' on a hillside above Oceti Sakowin CampScott Olson/Getty ImagesRecently-arrived military veterans are briefed on camp rules and their mission at Oceti Sakowin CampScott Olson/Getty ImagesUS Navy deep sea diving veteran Rob McHaney holds an American flag as he leads a group of veteran activists back from a police barricade on a bridge near Oceti Sakowin CampJim Watson/AFP
Trump has yet to react to the decision. He could direct authorities to approve the line when he takes over from President Obama on 20 January.
