Standing Rock Members Plan Pipeline Protest

FORT YATES, N.D. (AP) — Members of the Standing Rock Sioux and other tribes are protesting a planned pipeline to carry oil from western North Dakota's Bakken oil fields to Illinois.

Tribal officials are planning a protest ride Friday across the Standing Rock Reservation, which straddles the North Dakota-South Dakota border.

The Standing Rock tribe opposes the $3.8 billion pipeline planned by Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners because it fears a spill could contaminate its drinking water.

Energy Transfer Partners maintains the pipeline will be a safe and cost-effective way to transport crude oil, and also will create jobs and boost the economy.

The Bismarck Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/1RKhkAz ) that the 20-mile ride will go from Fort Yates to Cannon Ball. Spokeswoman Dakota Kidder says the protest will be conducted "in a respectful manner."