Belle Fourche Pipeline Leaks on Same Day that Dakota Access Pipeline Vetoed

The same day that construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline was vetoed, the North Dakota Pipeline protesters have another reason to protest.  On Dec. 5, 2016 an oil spill occurred and wasn’t immediately detected due to electronic malfunctioning. On Dec. 13, 2016 yet another spill happened. Protesters are furious.

A massive estimated 176,000 gallons of crude oil has been spilled into the Little Missouri River which connects to the Missouri River that goes through many states. Approximately 4,200 barrels of crude oil leaked from the Belle Fourche Pipeline in Billings County, which happens to be about 150 miles away from Cannon Ball in North Dakota. Cannon Ball is where protesters had been fighting the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Oil extraction has been taking place recently and is to be continued. People and communities hope to see success throughout the extractions. Some feel that the oil spill is affecting drinking water and harming the environment, but experts say that it will not affect any drinking water and that the oil is 100% contained.  However, the cold weather is slowing clean-up progress.

Photo of the Little Missouri River from the National Park Service