State issues megaload permit

HELENA (AP) — A plan to move massive shipments of oil field equipment along a winding, scenic northern Idaho highway once traveled by Lewis and Clark has sparked rock-throwing protests as Native Americans and environmentalists continue to try to block the megaload’s route to Canada.

A 225-foot-long load began moving on U.S. 12 through northern Idaho on Monday night despite the objections of Nez Perce tribal members and others, who argue the trucks should not be allowed to pass through tribal land or along the scenic Lochsa and Clearwater rivers.

And while Montana has now granted permission for material to pass through that state, the dispute shows no signs of easing.

Protesters tossed rocks into the road in front of the truck outside Lewiston late Monday and early Tuesday, stopping the load for about two hours. Twenty people were arrested, including eight members of the Nez Perce tribal executive committee.

Protests late Tuesday and early Wednesday led tribal police to arrest nine people on suspicion of disorderly conduct, the Lewiston Tribune reported. Protesters objected to the tribal police role in trying to keep the equipment moving after tribal officials asked the U.S. Forest Service to block the loads.

On Wednesday, the Montana Department of Transportation issued a permit allowing Oregon-based Omega Morgan to haul the large water purification unit through northwestern Montana and into Canada for an oil sands project.

Duane Williams, administrator of Montana’s Motor Carrier Services Division, says the $3,195 permit allows Omega Morgan to travel through Montana, beginning as early as Thursday.

He said he hadn’t heard of any plans to protest the load’s movement in Montana.

The Omega Morgan load is scheduled to enter Montana on U.S. Highway 12 over Lolo Pass, travel through Missoula and cross over the Continental Divide at Roger’s Pass on Montana Highway 200. The loads will then travel north on U.S. Highway 87 through Choteau to Secondary 44 west of Valier. The loads will continue north through Cut Bank and enter Canada at the Port of Sweetgrass.

The load is 21 feet wide and weighs 644,000 pounds. Omega Morgan wants to move at least nine of the large loads along the two-lane route.