LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — Two environmental groups say the Clearwater National Forest needs to conduct an environmental impact statement before oversized oil equipment is allowed to travel along U.S. Highway 12 in northern Idaho.
Idaho Rivers United and Friends of the Clearwater say the U.S. Forest Service has more authority over the shipments than officials in the agency will acknowledge.
The proposed shipments would pass through the Middle Fork of the Clearwater and Lochsa wild and scenic river corridors, which the environmental groups say would violate laws intended to protect the corridors.
Exxon Mobil Corp. aims to truck equipment from the port in Lewiston to the Kearl Oil Sands in Alberta. ConocoPhillips also plans four big equipment shipments from Lewiston to Billings, Mont., where the company has a refinery.
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Information from: Lewiston Tribune, http://www.lmtribune.com
