The Dakota Access pipeline (DAPL) is a $3.7bn project that would transport 470,000 barrels of crude oil a day. Last year, protests over the completion of the Dakota Pipeline reached their height after authorities used tear gas and water hoses to disperse a crowd of 400 people and 17 protesters were taken to the hospital.

Now in a decision on Tuesday, Judge James Boasberg has officially denied the Standing Rock Sioux and Cheyenne River tribes’ demands to halt construction of the Dakota Access pipeline which endangers their drinking water source (Lake Oahe). Boasberg’s explanation for denying protesters’ request because (according to NPR) “he believed the tribes were unlikely to prevail in their lawsuit at this point”.

Energy Transfer Partners, the pipeline company, which has been drilling underneath Lake Oahe, has reported that oil could start flowing as early as next week. Although this prospect is upsetting to the tribes and their supporters, the protesting is unlikely to stop anytime soon.