Washington  (CSi)   Senator John Hoeven Wednesday said that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will have a crew on site by the end of the week to assist in cleaning up the area of the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. In addition to pressing for federal law enforcement to support state and local law enforcement, Hoeven has been working to secure federal support to help clear the area ahead of spring flooding.

 

“The spring thaw is already underway, so the Corps need to get this area cleaned up now,” said Hoeven. “I spoke with Corps officials this week and they committed to have a crew on site by the end of the week to assist in clearing the area to help prevent an environmental disaster should the area flood.”

 

The Corps notified Hoeven that they are accelerating the environmental remediation contract and expect to have a crew on the ground by Thursday or Friday to aid in the clean-up of the Corps lands.

(The agency said earlier this month it’ll shut down the camp on federal land Feb. 22.)

 

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) —  North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum says the state is willing to help clean up a camp on federal land that’s been home at times to thousands of Dakota Access pipeline opponents.

Officials fear the camp will soon flood and wash tons of debris into nearby waterways.

The Standing Rock Sioux began coordinating a cleanup in late January, but state officials say it isn’t going fast enough. Burgum says the state could start lining up additional contractors as early as Thursday. He says who would pay the cost could be decided later.

The Army Corps of Engineers also plans to help with cleanup. The agency will shut down the camp Feb. 22. Burgum has issued an evacuation order to complement the Corps deadline. He says arresting people would be a last resort.