Federal judge signals he will vacate $28M DAPL protest judgment as settlement nears
Federal and state officials are seeking a settlement tied to Dakota Access Pipeline protest response costs
A federal judge indicated Friday he will vacate a nearly $28 million judgment against the federal government tied to costs North Dakota incurred during protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline, allowing the state and federal government to finalize a settlement agreement. According to the North Dakota Monitor, attorneys for both parties said during a Friday hearing that North Dakota is still expected to receive a payment from the federal government, though the amount has not been disclosed.
The lawsuit, filed in 2019, argued the federal government allowed protesters to camp on federal land during demonstrations near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in 2016 and 2017, leading North Dakota to spend millions on law enforcement and cleanup efforts. North Dakota U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Traynor ruled in favor of the state in April 2025, ordering the federal government to pay $28 million. According to court testimony reported by the North Dakota Monitor, the Department of Justice wants Traynor’s rulings vacated as part of the settlement to avoid the legal findings influencing future cases.
- 1.Mary Steurer. North Dakota Monitor, .
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