Wyoming sends troopers to North Dakota pipeline protest

(AP) — Wyoming has sent six highway patrol troopers to North Dakota to help authorities deal with Indian protesters demonstrating against the construction of an oil pipeline, prompting objections Tuesday from some Wyoming Indian leaders.

More than 100 protesters were arrested last weekend in Morton County, North Dakota, in the faceoff between protesters and Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners, developer of the four-state Dakota Access oil pipeline.

Opponents worry about potential effects on drinking water on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's reservation as well as harm to cultural sites.

Jason Baldes, a member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and staff member at the Wind River Native Advocacy Center, accused Wyoming officials of supporting the pipeline by sending law enforcement officers to face off against protesters.