Shippers and the mega corporations employing them — ExxonMobil, Conoco-Phillips and GE — let nothing, bad weather, challenging terrain, public opposition and federal law, interfere with their ambitious plans. Megaloads were not new to U.S. 12. Nobody blanched when 95 oversized loads — wide enough to block traffic in both lanes — crossed the river corridor highway during first decade of the 21st century. When ExxonMobil planned to send more than 200 megaloads down that road on a timetable, people who had never heard of a megaload — tribe members, conservationists and river corridor residents — got busy. They asked questions. They pushed for public hearings. They protested. And they went to court. All it took to set this combustible mixture on fire was inept political leadership. Rather than sifting through the facts and seeking out public sentiment, Gov. Butch Otter was the first to welcome the megaload transporters to Idaho.Get the Story:
Editorial: Idaho lost more than a megaloads court case earlier this month (The Lewiston Tribune in The Idaho Statesman 9/23) Related Stories:
Gabe Galanda: Decision favors Nez Perce Tribe's treaty rights (9/18)
Nez Perce Tribe wins decision against 2nd megaload shipment (9/13)
Leaders of Nez Perce Tribe charged for protesting megaloads (9/12)
Nez Perce Tribe in court to block second megaload shipment (9/10)
Silas Whitman: Nez Perce Tribe ignored on megaload shipment (9/9)
Join the Conversation