Governor, tribal leader discuss reducing protest tensions

North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple says he and Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault have met to discuss reducing tensions between law enforcement officers and Dakota Access oil pipeline opponents.

The pipeline is stalled while developer Energy Transfer Partners and the Army battle in court over permission to cross under the Missouri River. Opponents who've protested for months have been leaving their main camp in southern North Dakota.

Dalrymple says only about 300 remain in the main camp, and Archambault told him in a Monday meeting that it could be vacated by Jan. 1. Other protesters remain in another camp nearby.

Dalrymple says an effort will be made to inspect and reopen a highway bridge in the camp area that's been closed since being damaged by fire in late October.