TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- Celebrations rang out among thousands of protesters across the country Sunday, after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it's halting plans to build a portion of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) under a lake at a Native American reservation.
Members of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and their supporters have been fighting the pipeline for months, saying it could be hazardous and damaging to their water supply.
About 400 people gathered in front of the Old Capitol building Sunday in a peaceful and largely silent demonstration.
They emphasized the importance of water to daily life and warned against the potentially harmful effects of pipelines to the environment.
They learned of the news that the DAPL plans were halted while still demonstrating at the Old Capitol.
"It was overwhelming to get that news especially at that time," said local activist Lorinne Myatt. "Even though there's a lot of work left to be done, that was really encouraging -- to say that our voices, locally and nationally, are heard and have an impact."
The focus turns to the Sabal Trail pipeline, which affects Florida, Georgia and Alabama.
It'll be more than 500 miles long -- but locals are hoping they can stop its completion, just like the one in North Dakota.
The Sabal Trail pipeline would be built in several local counties, including Brooks, Colquitt, Lowndes and Mitchell in Georgia and Suwannee and Hamilton in Florida.
"The pipeline itself would be transporting fracked natural gas, but it is not flowing yet," said Myatt, "and, until that gas is flowing through the pipeline, it can be stopped."
Organizers from Sunday's event are working to unify their efforts moving forward.
The plan is to create a local activist group to respond to situations similar to ones like Standing Rock and Sabal Trail.
Locals have already organized a "call to action" Saturday in Live Oak by the Suwannee River. Some are planning to camp out the night before.
The event will be at 3243 91st Drive, starting at 10 a.m.
