Final answer:
The Dakota Access Pipeline is a controversial oil pipeline that runs through four states, which was the subject of protests due to its potential harm to tribal cultural sites. Despite legal challenges, the pipeline was completed and is now operational.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Dakota Access Pipeline is a 1,200-mile-long oil pipeline that runs through four states, from North Dakota to Illinois. It became a topic of controversy and protests because it was built near federally governed waters, which the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe argued would harm important tribal cultural sites.
The protests against the pipeline grew in size, with thousands of Native Americans and environmentalists living in makeshift camps near the proposed construction site. Despite legal challenges and protests, the pipeline was completed and is currently in operation.
This issue highlights the complexities of public policymaking and the conflicts between the interests of different stakeholders, including Native American tribes and energy companies.