Artifacts found on Dakota Access pipeline route not reported for 10 days

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Documents show that American Indian artifacts found in North Dakota along the route of the Dakota Access oil pipeline last month weren't reported to state regulators for 10 days.

Public Service Commissioner Julie Fedorchak says she's disappointed regulators weren't notified earlier. The matter was to be discussed during a commission meeting Wednesday.

North Dakota Chief Archaeologist Paul Picha says he was notified of the discovery in a timely manner but didn't report it to the commission because he thought the pipeline company would. He says the site was properly handled.

In an Oct. 27 letter, Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners detailed the finding of stone cairns and other artifacts. Consultants for the pipeline company determined there was "a low likelihood" for buried artifacts but recommended avoiding the site.