North Dakota and U.S. negotiate settlement over Dakota Access protest costs

The state of North Dakota and the U.S. government have entered settlement negotiations over costs tied to Dakota Access Pipeline protests, according to the North Dakota Monitor. Attorney General Drew Wrigley confirmed Friday that discussions have been underway for weeks. He declined to provide further details but said he appreciates that both sides are open to having a dialogue.

The meetings follow a federal judge’s spring judgment awarding North Dakota nearly $28 million in damages — a ruling that the executive branch is appealing — and a joint request by the state and the U.S. Department of Justice to pause the case, granted by the 8th Circuit on Aug. 11 with a status update due by Sept. 10.