The
North Dakota Public Service
Commission has agreed to delay a hearing to discuss the disturbance of tribal artifacts during construction of the
Dakota Access Pipeline.
The hearing was to take place August 17. But proceedings were pushed back at the request of the pipeline's wealthy backers, the Associated Press reports.
The commission will instead accept written briefs before convening a hearing. The final one isn't due until September 22, according to a
summary released last month, so a decision on a potential $15,000 fine is still a few months away.
According to the commission, the firm waited too long -- 10 days to be exact -- to notify the state after
stone cairns and other artifacts were uncovered at a construction site in October 2016. The firm also slightly modified the route of the pipeline without informing the state, according to the commission.
Separately, the firm is facing fines of up to $400,000 for removing trees and shrubs along another portion of the pipeline in North Dakota.
Read More on the Story:
Dispute over Dakota Access handling of artifacts to linger
(AP 7/4)
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