North Dakota (trfnews.i234.me) — In a historic legal victory, U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor ruled on April 23, 2025, that the federal government must pay North Dakota $27.8 million in damages related to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) protests of 2016–2017. The court found the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers negligent for failing to manage federal lands and permitting processes, which exacerbated the state’s law enforcement and cleanup costs.
The lawsuit, filed in 2019, sought $38 million to cover expenses incurred during the months-long demonstrations near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. Judge Traynor concluded that the Corps’ actions and inactions created a public nuisance, leading to numerous instances of civil trespass and significant harm to the state.
The protests, initiated by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, aimed to halt the pipeline’s construction due to concerns over water contamination and infringement on sacred lands. The demonstrations drew thousands of activists and resulted in over 700 arrests, extensive law enforcement deployment, and a massive cleanup operation.
Judge Traynor’s decision emphasized that the federal government had a mandatory procedure to follow, failed to do so, and consequently, North Dakota suffered harm. He stated, “The law allows reimbursement for this harm. More than that, the rule of law requires this Court to hold the United States liable to remind it of its role in the larger picture of ensuring peace, not chaos.”
North Dakota officials, including Governor Kelly Armstrong and Attorney General Drew Wrigley, hailed the ruling as a significant win for taxpayers and the rule of law. They criticized the federal government’s inaction during the protests, which they claim led to increased violence and costs for the state.
The federal government had previously provided a $10 million grant to North Dakota for emergency response costs, which Judge Traynor deducted from the total damages awarded. Additionally, Energy Transfer, the company behind the pipeline, contributed $15 million to the state’s expenses.
This ruling sets a precedent as the first time a state has successfully held the federal government financially accountable in such a context. It underscores the importance of federal responsibility in managing large-scale protests and the associated costs borne by state governments.
I’m Chris Harper, and I’m reporting for TRF News.
Did You Know?
- The protests led to 761 arrests and required the involvement of 178 agencies over more than seven months.