Customs and Border Protection use downwash from helicopter to clear activists trying to stop the Line 3 pipeline being rebuilt in Minnesota

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A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helicopter used downwash to clear protesters rallying against the controversial rebuilding of an oil pipeline in northern Minnesota on Monday.   

Footage showed huge clouds of dust whipped up by the chopper directly above the site of an occupied pump station.

In photos, debris appears to be flying through the air past protesters and journalists who are trying to shield their faces. 

Local media reported that the helicopter at one point hovered about 20 feet (6 meters) from the ground.

Demonstrators, some of whom had chained themselves to construction equipment at the site, had gathered to protest against a bid to replace the aging Line 3 pipeline, which would carry oil across the state's environmentally sensitive tribal lands.

Among the hundreds protesting the Canada-based Enbridge Energy's replacement project, was actress and activist Jane Fonda, who was accompanied by fellow actresses Rosanna Arquette, Taylor Schilling and Catherine Keener. 

Social media users were shocked by the footage of the helicopter, shared by a photojournalist, with many urging the incident be reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helicopter used downwash to clear protesters rallying against the controversial rebuilding of an oil pipeline in northern Minnesota on Monday

In photos, debris appears to be flying through the air past protesters and journalists who are trying to shield their faces

Aviator Steve Dengler replied to the tweet featuring the video, describing the action as 'straight up illegal.'

'FAA Air Regs Title 14, Section 91.119 specifically prohibits low flying aircraft from being closer than '500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure',' he wrote, advising citizens to report the 'infraction' to the FAA. 

Other users shared a Washington Post article referencing an incident last summer in which DC Guard helicopters flew 55 feet above Black Lives Matter protesters. 

A CBP spokesperson confirmed to MailOnline that CBP in Grand Forks responded to a local law enforcement request for assistance 'to address a gathering of people who were reported to have trespassed on private property.'

'CBP's headquarters is investigating the facts to determine precisely what occurred and whether the actions taken were justified. All appropriate actions will be taken based on the facts that are learned, including with respect to the incident itself as well as the agency's applicable policies and procedures,' the spokesperson said in an email.

At least 30 protesters had been arrested by Monday evening and the number 'is growing rapidly,' Ashley Fairbanks, a spokeswoman for Treaty People Gathering, told The Associated Press. 

Footage showed huge clouds of dust whipped up by the chopper directly above the site of an occupied pump station

Social media users were shocked by the footage of the helicopter, shared by a photojournalist, with many urging the incident be reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Among the hundreds protesting the Canada-based Enbridge Energy's replacement project, was actress and activist Jane Fonda (pictured), who was accompanied by fellow actresses Rosanna Arquette, Taylor Schilling and Catherine Keener

The CBP said it was 'investigating the facts to determine precisely what occurred and whether the actions taken were justified' Pictured: Someone inside a CBP helicopter records activists with a cell phone

Demonstrators, some of whom had chained themselves to construction equipment at the site, had gathered to protest against a bid to replace the aging Line 3 pipeline, which would carry oil across the state's environmentally sensitive tribal lands

Earlier on Monday, Fonda, 83, shared a video of protesters holding signs and dancing at the site.

'We are all treaty people. Every single one of us. I am so grateful to the Indigenous women and leaders who welcomed me and my friends @rosannaarquette, @taylorschilling and #CatherineKeener to join them in solidarity to stop the Line 3 oil pipeline in Northern Minnesota. This pipeline is wrong. Just wrong. And the Biden administration has the power to pull the permits and demand that the Army Corp of Engineers does a proper study,' Fonda wrote on Instagram.

'We can't stop making noise until they hear us and act.

'In solidarity with Indigenous water protectors, please sign the petition at StopLine3.org and check out our friends @protestlaw. It is time for @potus to do the right thing and put a stop to this pipeline. #TreatyPeopleGathering #StopLine3 #HonorTheTreaties'.

Opponents of the project accuse Enbridge of building a new pipeline corridor through untouched wetlands and three Anishinaabe communities have filed legal challenges to the pipeline's construction. 

They say the pipeline, which would carry oil from Alberta to Wisconsin, risks spills in areas where Native Americans claim treaty rights and hunt, fish, gather medicinal plants and harvest wild rice,' twincities.com reported.  

Organized protests from June 5 to June 8 have been planned in Northern Minnesota to raise awareness and demand action from the Biden administration.  

Twincities.com reported that Enbridge had evacuated 44 workers from the site in an effort to deescalate the situation.  

The company said it 'hoped all parties would come to accept the outcome of the thorough, science-based review and multiple approvals of the project,' the website reported, citing a written statement. 

Opponents of the project accuse Enbridge of building a new pipeline corridor through untouched wetlands and three Anishinaabe communities have filed legal challenges to the pipeline's construction

At least 30 protesters had been arrested by Monday evening and the number 'is growing rapidly,' Ashley Fairbanks, a spokeswoman for Treaty People Gathering, told The Associated Press

More than 300 groups submitted a letter to Biden in May asking him to have the Army Corps of Engineers to suspend or revoke Enbridge’s federal clean water permit for the project

Enbridge says the new pipeline will be made from stronger steel and will better protect the environment than the current deteriorating 1960s-era line. 

More than 300 groups submitted a letter to Biden in May asking him to have the Army Corps of Engineers to suspend or revoke Enbridge’s federal clean water permit for the project.

On the first day of his administration, Biden cancelled the controversial Keystone XL pipeline over climate concerns. He has not so far taken a stance on Line 3.

His administration has also refused to shut down the Dakota Access pipeline.

Both activists and the company are awaiting a Minnesota Court of Appeals ruling due by June 21 on a challenge from environmental and tribal groups looking to overturn the approval of the project.   

Enbridge says the new pipeline will be made from stronger steel and will better protect the environment than the current deteriorating 1960s-era line. Pictured: A protester is detained on Monday

Organized protests from June 5 to June 8 have been planned in Northern Minnesota to raise awareness and demand action from the Biden administration. Pictured: A protester that has attached himself to heavy machinery at the site

Both activists and the company are awaiting a Minnesota Court of Appeals ruling due by June 21 on a challenge from environmental and tribal groups looking to overturn the approval of the project. Pictured: Detained protesters on Monday