The Standing Rock protests have come to Texas.

What is the Standing Rock protest all about?

For those that have not been following along, for the past few months, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in North Dakota (along with environmentalists from around the country) have been waging an active protest against a new oil pipeline which is slated to run near the reservation. It’s known as the Dakota Access Pipeline.

The Standing Rock Sioux argue that they weren’t properly consulted on the pipeline’s route and that it would run through sacred sites and burial places, as well as threaten the tribe’s main source of drinking water. They see the pipeline as yet another example of the American government mistreating them and disrespecting their sovereignty.

Environmentalists from around the country and have joined in on the protests, both in solidarity with the Standing Rock tribe and in action against additional fossil fuel infrastructure.

What does this have to do with Texas?

Although the protests began in North Dakota, they have quickly spread throughout the country. That is particularly the case in Texas, since the pipeline is a project of Energy Transfer Partners, a Texas-based company which is also responsible for the controversial Trans-Pecos pipeline, which is set to built in the Big Bend region.

Activists in Austin have already been protesting the Trans-Pecos pipeline with help from the nonprofit Big Bend Conservation Alliance. They argue that the pipeline will disrupt one of the country’s last remaining truly undeveloped and wild places. They raise concerns about the disturbance that the pipeline’s construction will have on native grasslands, scrublands, and desert streams. They also claim that this pipeline will set a dangerous precedent in the region, opening up much of West Texas to industry.

More on Texas….

Not only is Energy Transfer Partners a Texas-based company, but its CEO (Kelcy Warren) serves on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. The commission is like an advisory board for Texas Parks and Wildlife, which manages our state parks. Commissioners are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate.

In light of Kelcy Warren’s involvement in multiple controversial pipeline projects, a large protest was held in Austin last week at the headquarters of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Protesters included members of the Sierra Club and the Society of Native Nations. Together they called for Warren’s removal from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.

What’s next?

Kelcy Warren is still serving as a Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioner. However, he has agreed to meet with the Society of Native Nations about the Dakota Access Pipeline’s impact on sacred grounds. The latest news from the Society of Native Nations is that they have been contacted by Warren’s office, but that a meeting hasn’t been scheduled yet. They have promised to keep the community updated on any progress or updates on this front.

The Sierra Club’s Environmental Justice Team (ATXEJ) is also continuing to advocate on this front. If you would like to get more involved with ATXEJ’s efforts, you can follow them on Facebook and stay up-date-on on what they’re working.