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Weather Affecting North Dakota Oil Pipeline Spill Cleanup

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's health department says winter weather is affecting cleanup of a "significant" pipeline break that leaked crude oil into a tributary of the Little Missouri River.

State environmental scientist Bill Suess says the spill was discovered Monday by a landowner near Belfield, in western North Dakota. Suess say the cause of the leak is under investigation, and the amount of the spill is unknown.

Suess says the spill migrated about 2.5 miles from the spill site along Ash Coulee Creek. Suess says Thursday that the spill appears to be contained.

The 6-inch steel pipeline is operated by Belle Fourche Pipeline, which part of Wyoming-based True Companies.

Spokeswoman Wendy Owen says the pipeline was shut down immediately after the leak was discovered and crews are cleaning it up.

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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