Does this look like a suitable load for a leisurely ride up the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway?
This is one of 4 Conoco Phillips drums waiting at the Port of Lewiston for shipment by Emmert International up U.S. 12. Well, actually, it's waiting for an Idaho Transportation Department permit allowing its passage from Lewiston to Lolo Pass. Those are not toys on the left but an actual size pickup truck and motor home.
Roger Inghram photo
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Big Oil & Little People
The Port of Lewiston, the State of Idaho, and Imperial Oil/ExxonMobil Canada are working to convert Idaho’s stretch of U.S. Highway 12 from a Scenic Byway and All-American Road to an industrial truck route for the transport of gargantuan loads of heavy equipment. 207 shipments, already planned for 2010-2011, exceed by far the size and frequency of any oversize shipments in the past. According to Port personnel, “If one oil company is successful with this alternative transportation route, many other companies will follow their lead.” Without seeking input from Idahoans, yet on behalf of Idahoans, in a letter of 1/9/09, Governor Otter wrote, "I pledge our support and cooperation..."
For the rural people of Highway 12, his support for ExxonMobil equals a lack of support for us. The re-branding of Idaho’s U.S. 12 from "scenic byway" to "industrial truck route" will almost surely result in a decline in or reversal of:
- our one growing industry: travel/tourism
- the designation of U.S.12 as a Scenic Byway & All-American Road
- our public safety on U.S. 12
- our ability in a medical crisis to reach an emergency room
- our property values throughout the U.S. 12 corridor
- our fisheries
- our recreation along the Lochsa, Middle Fork and main Clearwater rivers
- the peace and quiet that is an essential part of our way of life
Our own governor, Port personnel, and ExxonMobil intend to make us the next victims of Big Oil. Gigantic international corporations will reap the profits, and let we the people take the risks and suffer the consequences.
But WE HAVE A VOICE. Acquaint yourself with this issue by clicking the link below and reading our carefully researched information brief. THEN JOIN US IN RESISTING THE TURNING OVER OF OUR BYWAY AND OUR LIVELIHOODS TO BIG OIL.
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ACTION LINKS
Send comments. |
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Idaho Transportation Department
Alan Frew, ITD Email |
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Clearwater National Forest
Rick Brazell, Forest Supervisor 1-208-476-4541;12730 Hwy.12, Orofino ID 83544 |
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Port of Lewiston
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Idaho Governor Butch Otter
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Idaho County Commission
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Clearwater County Commission
Stan Leach, Don Ebert, John Allen -- 150 Michigan Ave., Orofino ID 83530 |
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Nez Perce County Commission
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"Oil-processing gear's U.S. route sparks fears" USA Today
"Roads aren't wide enough for big rigs, Idaho outfitter writer says" Missoulian
"Lolo Creek residents may lose power as big trucks roll through." Missoulian
Resistance movement in Idaho & Montana, "Imperial's Big Road Trip," Ontario's National Post
"Foes Fear Long-term 'High-and-Wide Corridor," Great Falls Tribune, Montana
"Imperial Snubs Alberta Workers," Edmonton Journal, Alberta, Canada (American workers too, by the way.)
Activist protest in Missoula, "Even Bigger Trucks May Be Routed Through Missoula," Missoulian, Montana
"Nobody's Asking You; They're Telling You," Lewiston Tribune, Idaho
"Even Bigger Rigs Moving Through Montana Next Month," Helena Independent Record
"Huge Loads May Soon Be Rolling Up the Lochsa in Idaho," Idaho Statesman
All documents on this site may be copied and printed. We urge you to distribute them widely.
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SIGN: Petition to Deny Permits
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Get Riftka's "No Big Oil Permits" Tee here.