Wilz said he will be looking at funding requests from the agencies, make an estimate and ask the emergency commission for an appropriation. The commission can authorize emergency services to get a loan from the Bank of North Dakota.

He estimated the additional resources could cost from $750,000 to $1 million, if the protests continue for the next few weeks.

The declaration also means an emergency operations center will be set up in the emergency services building, so that the agencies can coordinate their resources, Wilz said.

The money does not funnel directly into the local agencies, such as the Morton County Sheriff's Department. Rather, it reimburses the state agencies that provide personnel and material resources to local authorities.

Morton County declared its own state of emergency on Monday, for the purpose of tapping into its emergency fund and creating public awareness, said Cody Schulz, chairman of the county commission.

Schulz said the biggest expense for the county has been law enforcement, including overtime for the sheriff's deputies and assistance from other agencies, including the Mandan Police and the Cass and Mercer County Sheriffs.

The governor's emergency order does not include activation of the National Guard.

Reach Caroline Grueskin at 701-250-8225 or at caroline.grueskin@bismarcktribune.com

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