Crews begin bulldozing abandoned Dakota Access Pipeline protest camps

CANNON BALL, N.D.—Crews are bulldozing the main camp used by protesters of the Dakota Access Pipeline near here.

The contractors were hired by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and they're only bulldozing abandoned camps, not forcefully removing people, officials said.

The Morton County Sheriff's Department says it will begin removing security wire and barriers from the north side of the Backwater bridge later this week, as long as protesters don't engage in any criminal activity.

Highway 1806 will remain closed for now.