Judge Rules Tribe Broke The Law By Erecting Tepees

MAHWAH, NJ — A Superior Court judge ruled Friday that the Ramapough Lenape Nation violated local zoning laws when it built tepees on its land.

McGready determined that the tribe violated zoning rules by not obtaining the necessary permission to erect the tepees and other structures on Halifax Road property. The tribe has used the land, which it calls the Sweetwater Prayer Site, for prayer and ceremonial gatherings for generations.

McGready dismissed additional summonses brought against the nation by the town accusing them of moving soil and putting up a renewable energy system without the town's permission, NorthJersey.com reported.

The nation has 2o days to appeal the ruling, which Ramapough Chief Dwaine Perry said the tribe will do, the website reported. Perry could not immediately be reached for comment.

The ruling ends a year-long battle between the nation and town that began after nation members erected tepees on the land in protest of the proposed Pilgrim Pipeline in New Jersey and the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota.

Other buildings soon followed and the nation invited people to camp on the land overnight.

The town has said that those actions violated local zoning codes and require permits. State representatives found three 15-foot tall tepees, several tents, two portable toilets, several totem poles and a cooking pavilion on the property in December 2016.

The township issued two summonses against the Ramapoughs Dec. 13, 2016 for not getting the required zoning permits and permissions before constructing the structures. A violation and termination notice was issued Dec. 20. Subsequent violation summonses were issued against the tribe daily.

The tribe must pay $13,000 in fines, NorthJersey.com reported.

The tribe submitted a zoning application April 6, and it was denied on April 13. The tribe had lumber delivered to the property April 26 and began constructing a platform. The town filed its show cause order May 8 and the temporary restraining order was put in place. The nation filed a motion to lift a restraining order filed against it. A Superior Court judge vacated that order in June.

RELATED: Judge Sides With Ramapoughs, Lifts Restraining Order Regarding Tepees At Prayer Site
RELATED: Mahwah Suing Ramapough Mountain Indians Over Teepees

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