North Dakota seeks federal money for pipeline protest costs
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) North Dakota on Friday demanded $38 million from the federal government to reimburse the state for costs associated with policing large-scale and prolonged protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline.
Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem filed an administrative claim against the Army Corps of Engineers, contending the federal agency allowed protesters to illegally camp without a permit between Aug. 10, 2016, and March 31, 2017, on federal land along the Missouri River in southern North Dakota and failed to maintain law and order.
The Corps inaction "required North Dakota to provide a sustained, large-scale public safety response to prevent deaths, and protect property and public safety, including that of the protesters," Stenehjem wrote.
If the claim isn't paid or settled in six months, the state will sue in federal court, the attorney general said in a statement. Corps officials and Justice Department attorneys didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Corps officials have said previously that the protesters weren't evicted due to free speech reasons.
Read more: http://www.newspressnow.com/news/state/north-dakota-seeks-federal-money-for-pipeline-protest-costs/article_83e79ec7-2f33-54a3-bb20-73b15a142218.html