North Dakota tribe stops construction of oil waste landfill

WHITE SHIELD, N.D. (AP) — The Three Affiliated Tribes has shut down construction of a landfill for oil waste on the Fort Berthold Reservation in northwestern North Dakota.

Owner Marvin Danks, of New Town, started construction at the site between Parshall and White Shield about 1 ½ weeks ago. The Bismarck Tribune reports that the tribe issued a cease-and-desist order Monday, after tribal Environmental Director Edmund Baker said the project needed a permit and an environmental review.

Danks said his landfill will be environmentally responsible, and that he will do whatever the tribe requires.

Tribal members are being given until May 8 to comment. More than 200 people attended a Tuesday meeting in White Shield about the project. None spoke in support of it.

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