Republicans hit out at lame-duck Obama as his administration caves in to protesters and blocks Dakota Access pipeline 

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The top Republican in Congress criticized the Obama administration on Sunday for the Army Corps of Engineers' decision to deny access for the Dakota Access pipeline to be constructed near tribal land.

House Speaker Paul Ryan tweeted on Sunday that the decision was 'big-government decision-making at its worst.'

The Wisconsin Republican tweeted Sunday night that he looks 'forward to putting this anti-energy presidency behind us.'

Another Republican, House Rep. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, said that the move was a 'chilling signal to others who want to build infrastructure in this country.'

Protesters at the Standing Rock Indian reservation triumphed today as the US Army Corps of engineers backed down in its plan to enforce an easement that would allow a pipeline to be built on their land

Demonstrators praised the decision to block the pipeline, although Donald Trump could reverse the decision on December 20

Opponents of the controversial pipeline celebrated the decision with a late night fireworks display

'I can't wait for the adults to be in charge on Jan. 20,' said Cramer, a supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, who will be inaugurated as president on that day.

The company building the $3.8 billion oil pipeline also slammed the Obama administration.

Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners released a statement Sunday night calling the decision 'just the latest in a series of overt and transparent political actions by an administration which has abandoned the rule of law in favor of currying favor with a narrow and extreme political constituency.'

In a stunning victory to the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and its supporters, the Army announced that the pipeline will not cross under Lake Oahe in North Dakota.

The tribe and its supporters have long argued the project would threaten the its water source and cultural sites.

House Speaker Paul Ryan (left), a Republican from Wisconsin, slammed the Obama administration on Sunday, tweeting that the move was 'big-government decision-making at its worst' by an 'anti-energy' President Barack Obama (right)

The US Army Corps of Engineers will not grant an easement allowing the pipeline's construction half a mile south of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.

Jo-Ellen Darcy, United States Assistant Secretary of the Army, said the federal agency will 'explore alternate routes' in an announcement that came just one day before the Corps was scheduled to cut off access to the protesters' camp.

Thousands of demonstrators at the Oceti Sakowin campsite erupted into cheers and cries of Mni Wiconi - 'Water is life' - went up from the crowd as the news spread.

Moments after the decision was announced, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Council Chairman Harold Frazier told DailyMail.com that he was 'shocked' by the news.

The camp erupted into cheers as the news spread and cries of Mni Wiconi - 'Water is life' - went up from the crowd

The $3.8billion pipeline running through North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Illinois, is mostly complete, except for a segment planned to run under Lake Oahe, which protesters resisted for several months.

Faith Spotted Eagle, an elder of the Ihanktonwan tribe, said: 'The easement has been denied. We have all come to this gathering being hosted by Mother Earth. I love you all.'

Shailene Woodley, star of the 'Divergent' movies and 'The Fault in Our Stars', who had previously been arrested while protesting told a huge crowd: 'We feel so honored to have been a small part of this movement.'

Native American protesters and their allies rejoiced as it was announced by the US government that the Dakota Access Pipeline would be re-routed away from the reservation

In a statement, Standing Rock tribal chairman Dave Archambault II said: 'Today, the US Army Corps of engineers announced that it will not be granting the easement to cross Lake Oahe for the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline.

'Instead, the Corps will be undertaking an environmental impact statement to look at possible alternate routes.

'We wholeheartedly support the decision of the administration and commend with the utmost gratitude the courage it took on the part of President Obama, the Army Corps, the Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior to take steps to correct the course of history and do the right thing.

The Army's Assistant Secretary for Civil Works said a new route will be explored with consideration to the Environmental Impact Statement along 'with full public input and analysis' (pictured, water protectors celebrating the decision)

'The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe will forever be grateful to the Obama administration for this historic decision.'

He went on to thank all of those who had given moral, physical and financial support from around the globe, and in particular thanked those who had joined the protesters at Standing Rock.

'We hope that [Energy Transfer Partner CEO] Kelcy Warren, [North Dakota Governor Jack] Dalrymple and the incoming Trump administration respect this decision and understand the complex process that led us to this point,' he added.

Protesters signaled their happiness after the announcement. Standing Rock tribal chairman Dave Archambault II said 'The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe will forever be grateful to the Obama administration for this historic decision'

'Treaties are paramount law and must be respected, and we welcome dialogue on how to continue to honor that moving forward,' Archambault said.

'We are not opposed to energy independence, economic development, or national security concerns but we must ensure that these decisions are made with the considerations of our Indigenous peoples.'

He also said he hoped to 'heal' the tribe's relationship with local law enforcement and that he looked 'forward to a future that reflects more mutual understanding and respect'.

Protesters opposed the $3.8 billion pipeline, saying the project, slated to carry 570,000 barrels of crude oil a day across four states, could harm drinking water and Native American cultural sites

In an official statement, Darcy, the Army's Assistant Secretary for Civil Works, decided not to approve the easement, which would have allowed the proposed Dakota Access Pipeline to cross under Lake Oahe.

She said her decision was based on the need to 'explore alternate routes' for the pipeline's crossing, although it doesn't rule out the possibility that it could cross under the reservoir or north of Bismarck

Demonstrators celebrated the announcement after months of resistance. Some of the clashes led to hundreds of arrests, with authorities reportedly using tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper spray and water cannons

'Although we have had continuing discussion and exchanges of new information with the Standing Rock Sioux and Dakota Access, it's clear that there's more work to do,' Darcy said in the statement.

'The best way to complete that work responsibly and expeditiously is to explore alternate routes for the pipeline crossing.'

She also added the new routes will be explored using an Environmental Impact Statement, 'with full public input and analysis'.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch said Sunday that the Department of Justice will 'continue to monitor the situation' and stands 'ready to provide resources to help all those who can play a constructive role in easing tensions.'

'The safety of everyone in the area - law enforcement officers, residents and protesters alike - continues to be our foremost concern,' she added.

Shawn, a friend of Chairman Frazier, told DailyMail.com: 'It's a heck of a victory for the Great Sioux Nation. I have a lot of pride.'

Marine veteran Lanny Laplante, of the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe, told DailyMail.com: 'I am in disbelief. You pray about this for so long.

'As a people we have been mistreated forever and to get this support… I don't think this could have happened without social media and Facebook.

'As a people we were ready for this. [It was] a greedy corporation abusing indigenous people.

'It's an awakening. You look at the water - and how they are going to put oil over water and when there is a shortage of water in the world? I am just blown away by it.

'Perhaps when Trump comes into office it might be different. It took Obama so long to respond to this - why didn't he answer sooner when he made so many promises?

Thousands of veteran US soldiers recently arrived at the camp to support the protesters against the US Army Corps of engineers. Some were Native American; others were allies to the cause

'The world has weighed in, it's all of the little people, it's the people all across the nation who liked anything on Facebook.

'It took the world to stand up for this to happen. We are all related. Water is older than the earth. Water is that closest element to God, it cuts steel, cracks rocks but purifies and sustains us.

'It's a great victory.'

Miles Allard, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux, said he was pleased but remained cautious, saying, 'We don't know what Trump is going to do.'

'The whole world is watching,' Allard added. 'I'm telling all our people to stand up and not to leave until this is over.'

President-elect Donald Trump has voiced his support for the pipeline. Spokesperson Hope Hicks said Trump sold his $500,000 to $1million stake in Energy Transfer Partners, the Washington Post reported.

Trump's most recent federal disclosure forms, filed in May, showed that he also owns between $100,000 and $250,000 in Phillips 66, which has a one-quarter share of Dakota Access.

A Native American man signals for the veterans to arrive at Standing Rock camp early on Sunday

A large group of veterans stood on Highway 1806 just outside the Oceti Sakowin camp earlier on Sunday. Temperatures over the weekend hovered around 30F and authorities had ordered protesters to evacuate citing harsh winter conditions last week

Catcher Cuts the Rope (center), an veteran who was wounded in Iraq, served as head of security on Highway 1806

While the announcement signaled a great victory for the Standing Rock Sioux and their supporters, some remained cautious, saying it was unclear what would happen with president-elect Donald Trump assuming office in January

Chief Joseph River Wind (left), a former military police officer, said he felt a calling to join the protesters while Army Vet Art Desmarais (right) traveled from New Hampshire to Cannonball, North Dakota, to show his support