After months of protest the Army Corps of Engineers denied the permit for the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. This now halts the construction of the 1,172 mile oil pipeline that was to be built on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.

National Congress of American Indians President Brian Cladoosby states that, “This isn’t over, but it is enormously good news. All tribal peoples have prayed from the beginning for a peaceful solution, and this puts us back on track.” The pipeline was a possible threat to clean drinking water and they are now beginning to rethink an alternate route for the pipeline.

Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Chairman Dave Archambault II says that the tribe welcomes the decision but says he hopes the incoming Donald Trump administration would “respect this decision and understand the complex process that led us to this point.” Tom Shaving fears that President Trump will undo Sunday’s announcement but he is going to stick with the tribe and hope for the best. He states that, “We have to keep going. We have to persevere. Trump’s right next in line.”