Huron Scrambling To Find Accommodations For Pipeline Workers

20160329_091506With Huron rapidly becoming a hub for construction of the Dakota Access pipeline, a temporary housing crunch is beginning to unfold….

Mayor Paul Aylward says at least one Huron landowner wants to bring in utilities to a vacant lot and rent the land out for campers. City Planner Ralph Borkowski talked with numerous state agencies about rules and regulations allowing campers to be hooked up to various utilities. He says granting variances for the temporary use of lots for campers take up to 45 days…

Typical camping areas in Huron, like the South Dakota State Fairgrounds are not practical to house the number of people needed for the amount of time required. Commissioner Gary Harrington expressed concern about the issue being dropped in the city’s lap….

Borkowski says officials at the Greater Huron Development Corporation have been looking into at least two abandoned trailer courts…

Borkowski says GHDC has been working on the pipeline worker housing issue for three to five weeks. The Huron City Commission may take up the variance exemption at a future meeting. Dakota Access has previously stated it would like to see construction of the pipe in Spread Five, which includes Faulk, Spink, Beadle Kingsbury and Miner Counties to begin in May.