LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – After months of protests by the Standing Rock, Sioux Tribe, the Army Corps of Engineers says it will not grant the permit for the Dakota Access pipeline to cross under Lake Oahe in North Dakota.

Energy Transfer Partners, the same company building the pipeline, wants to build another that would travel directly through Lafayette Parish.

Although the Dakota Access Pipeline controversy is nearly 1,300 miles from Acadiana, we know all too well about the dangers of oil spills.

And the Standing Rock tribe has similar concerns when it comes to pipeline construction and operation.

BP agreed to pay more than $18 billion in settlements and penalties after the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

A similar accident happening near the standing rock reservation is what concerns the tribe and environmental groups.

Environmental lawyer, William Goodell explains, “If an accident does occur, then you’ve got significant groundwater impacts which are very difficult, expensive and time consuming to deal with.”

Pipelines normally go through an intense series of rigorous testing and inspections before being put online.

Goodell agrees, “Obviously these things are very highly engineered and safely managed but accidents do happen.”

In Goodell’s career, he has a lot of experience over the years cleaning up hazardous substances.

“(It’s) very, very time consuming and difficult. It’s real hard, once the cats out of the bag, it’s difficult to get it back in,” he explained.

Energy Transfer Partners, who owns the pipeline say they’re working with engineers and agricultural experts to mitigate risks.

But as of now, the Army Corps of Engineers will not approve the permit that would allow the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline to travel through Lake Oahe, North Dakota.