Idaho Highway 12 (Lewiston, Moscow, Orofino: transport, office, permits)

[KTMMan]

I-90 take it or leave it!

[banjomike]

Originally Posted by KTMMan

I-90 take it or leave it!

Hi,KTM...
If I-90 would do it, there never would have been a discussion in the first place. Every other plan involves much more distance and difficulty for the oil company, and both add up to a much higher expense. They are simply trying to get by on the cheap at our expense.

Like so many other times in Idaho, the State gave permission before bothering to learn the facts and consequences first, and it's far from being a done deal one way or the other at present. Right now, it's on hold, but may not be forever. Otter was all for it, but it hasn't become a campaign issue.

We have all seen how the oil companies deliver on their promises to clean things up after they have caused a catastrophe. Hauling their big junk over Idaho roads is on the bleeding edge of failure with every mile of the Lolo Pass, and I hope Idaho's government doesn't trust the oil company any more than I do- in my case, that's not at all.

The real capper is there isn't a nickel in it for the state. They will pay an oversize/overload fee, and that's it. Chump change for all the potential damage that could happen and all the profits they stand to reap.

[mistyriver]

It's one of other things that have made me seriously consider whom to vote for tomorrow for governor. I think it was an arrogant and foolish move by Otter.

[MeInIdaho]

Mega-loads get go-ahead from Idaho Supreme Court, but Montana permits still not issued | KLEW CBS 3 - News, Weather and Sports - Lewiston, ID - Lewiston, Idaho | Local & Regional

Crap!

[Clark Fork Fantast]

Oh no, say it ain't so...this is total madness. No jurisdiction? They've got to be kidding!

[MeInIdaho]

Idaho court OKs Highway 12 mega-loads - Spokesman.com - Nov. 1, 2010

This one explains their decision a little better. Can't say as I like it, but at least this article is a little more detailed and optomistic. Let's hope Montana has better luck!

[strudel42]

Idaho Supreme Court vacates ruling on big-rig shipments on Highway 12

From the above:
State high court justices didn't weigh in on the merits of the case. Instead, they vacated Bradbury's decision, ruling it was premature because neither the Idaho Transportation Board nor Transportation Department director Brian Ness had issued a final order on whether the shipments could proceed.
"Absent a final order, any petition for judicial review is premature," wrote Justice Warren Jones for the majority.

Seems to me the court is almost inviting the opponents back, once the permits are issued.... I'm having a hard time wading through the available information.

The opinion can be read here: http://www.lmtribune.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/big-truck-case.pdf (broken link)

I have not made it through the whole ruling, but on page 10 is indicated that opponents must file for legal status as "intervenors" which, theoretically, will entitle them to formal hearings on the permits.

Am I interpreting this correctly?

[Idunn]

"They said those opposed to the giant loads being transported on a designated scenic highway may have real grievances with the Idaho Transportation Department, but dismissed the case on grounds that state courts lacked jurisdiction. In the opinion released Monday, Justice Warren Jones said "Actions by state agencies are not subject to judicial review unless expressly authorized by statute." Jones said the case should have gone to ITD for a contested case hearing."[1]
- klewtv.com


I've got to ask exactly what kind of 'justice' is represented here? Or how ludicrous this court's decision that it has no jurisdiction over questions affecting all the citizens of Idaho?

Referring this matter back to the tender mercies of the ITD is akin to the proverbial fox guarding the the hen house. On their best of days the ITD is an organization in an uneasy relationship with the environment. More to the point, they are exactly the outfit which for the last several years has been covertly preparing for these shipments. What kind of justice can one expect from them?

Or from the Idaho Supreme Court, it would seem. Please. If with money attached to it, what will not prevail?

1) 'Idaho Supreme Court ruling opens door for mega-loads,' klewtv.com
Idaho Supreme Court ruling opens door for mega-loads | KLEW CBS 3 - News, Weather and Sports - Lewiston, ID - Lewiston, Idaho | Local & Regional

[strudel42]

The latest:

Montana, Idaho wait on each other to issue big rig permits

I can't help but add a

[Idunn]

"ConocoPhillips' application was submitted in April. At the time, the company proposed to begin moving the four loads to Billings on June 1 and be finished by Aug. 7. Imperial/Exxon's original plan was to begin its yearlong Kearl Module Transportation Project to Alberta by October."[1]


With any luck Mother Nature will intercede and stop all this for the winter. Meanwhile the states of Idaho and Montana can play political chicken . . . and the citizens of both with more time to reflect on what this really means to them.

1) 'Montana, Idaho wait on each other to issue big rig permits,' Missoulian
Montana, Idaho wait on each other to issue big rig permits