Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s New Drinking Water Source Could be Impacted by Crude in Rail Cars

The Dakota Access pipeline doesn’t cross Standing Rock Sioux Tribe reservation land, but a large crude-transporting railroad track does.

The map below shows where a railroad crosses both the reservation and Missouri River, carrying the same crude oil near a Tribe water source.

It’s worth noting that this raises significant safety concerns given rail incidents are much more common than pipeline accidents—around five times as high.

According to court documents, the Dakota Access Pipeline would reduce the need for 5 to 7 100-car trains daily, which would ultimately increase protection for the water source and public safety.

When completed, the Dakota Access Pipeline will be among the safest, most technologically advanced pipelines in the world and will safely move domestic energy from the Bakken region to communities across the country.