Police Say Winter Structures At Pipeline Protest Camp are Illegal

Morton County Police say pipeline protestors have broken the law by building winter structures at the campsite.
 
Authorities took these aerial photos of the camp yesterday.

They say the structures violate a Special Use Permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in September.

Officials say the permit requested by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe requires permission to build temporary and permanent buildings.

Morton County officials urge protesters to seek “appropriate winter shelter.”

County officials say some pipeline protesters are releasing personal information of law enforcement officers to the public.

Authorities say protestors are harassing their families.

The North Dakota National Guard is requesting more soldiers and airmen to help officers.

This call for help will increase members from nearly 90 to 130 personnel.

“We support and always have supported legal and lawful activities as they occur in the surrounding area and with that, public safety has been the number one concern for everybody that’s involved,” said Morton County Sheriff Kyle Kirchmeier.
 
Currently, the Army Corps of Engineers is halting work on the pipeline until a final court decision is made.

That decision isn’t expected until January of 2017.