IronEyesChaseCannon Ball, ND (KFYR TV) – According to KFYR TV,  as of 7pm Weds evening, law enforcement says they have arrested at least 76 protesters, including former Democratic congressional candidate Chase Iron Eyes.

KFYR further reported that “the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe issued a statement saying they are not associated with the people who attempted to establish a new camp on private land late Tuesday night.

The tribe claims these campers put the Standing Rock cause and peoples’ lives at risk and are asking people not to return to the camp.”

On Thursday, Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault  criticized Dakota Access oil pipeline opponents who set up a camp on private land.

Archambault says the move undermines the tribe’s efforts to make a legitimate case against the pipeline, which the tribe says threatens its drinking water.

Authorities arrested  protesters after they set up teepees Wednesday on land owned by the pipeline developer. Protesters said they were peacefully assembling on land they believe rightfully belongs to American Indians.

Clean-up of the site is underway, to avoid waste and debris going into Missouri River during spring flooding of the low area.    Video report from KFYR TV:

 

The site is near the main protest camp that has existed for months on federal land, and still is home to several hundred protesters. Archambault has called on that camp to disband in recent weeks, saying “the fight is no longer here, but in the halls and courts of the federal government.”

 

Earlier report:   BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  Law enforcement have evicted about 40 Dakota Access pipeline opponents from a camp the protesters set up on higher ground near their flood-prone main camp in southern North Dakota.

The Morton County Sheriff’s Office says the camp was on private property owned by the pipeline developer. Protesters in Facebook posts described what they called the “Last Child” camp as “peaceful assembly.”

Sheriff’s spokesman Rob Keller says there were two initial arrests and no reports of injuries.

The main camp once housed thousands but is now down to about 300 people. The tribe has told those in camp to leave, and the camp is being cleaned up in advance of spring flooding season.

Protest spokesman Chase Iron Eyes couldn’t be reached for comment because his cellphone wasn’t accepting messages.

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A spokesman says the U.S. Army has begun its review of an easement that is necessary to complete the proposed Dakota Access oil pipeline.

Maj. Gen. Malcolm Frost says the Army is following the steps outlined in President Donald Trump’s order earlier this month for a fast review of requests to approve the pipeline.

Frost cautions that the steps don’t mean the easement has been approved.

The easement is necessary for the pipeline developer, Energy Transfer Partners, to complete the last unfinished section of the pipeline under North Dakota’s Lake Oahe (oh-AH’-hee).

The pipeline has been the target of months of protests from the Standing Rock Sioux, whose reservation lies near the route, and thousands of supporters from around the country who argue it’s a threat to water supply.

 

Previously…

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven says the Acting Secretary of the Army has directed the Army Corps of Engineers to proceed with an easement necessary to complete the Dakota Access pipeline.

Hoeven issued a statement Tuesday after he says Acting Army Secretary Robert Speer informed him of the decision. Hoeven spokesman Don Canton added the easement “isn’t quite issued yet, but they plan to approve it” within days.

Construction of the $3.8 billion project is finished except for a section under the Missouri River at Lake Oahe in North Dakota. The pipeline has been the target of protests for months.

After Hoeven’s statement, Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault renewed the tribe’s vow to go to court if the easement is granted.

A spokesman for the U.S. Army did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday night.