North Dakota Stockmen’s Association is calling for an end to the pipeline protest.

The executive vice president of the group met with Senator Hoeven in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.

They are calling on the Obama administration and Army Corps to issue an easement for the pipeline and put an end to the unrest affecting the ranching community in the area.

There have been reports of trespassing, vandalism, theft and fire on privately owned ranch land.

“Hopefully the message that the decision makers received today underscores the severity of the situation as well as the need for some action to resolve this issue peacefully,” said Julie Schaff Ellingson of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association.

Senator Hoeven agreed. “And so what needs to happen is the administration and the corps need to issue the easement we need to get construction completed and the situation resolved for everyone’s safety and certainly the safety of our farmers and ranchers that live in the protest area.”

Ellingson and her husband are fourth and fifth generation ranchers and farmers in the area of the protests.

She said law enforcement has seen several cases of butchered, mutilated, injured and missing cattle, horses and bison over recent weeks.

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