Climate Justice Forum: Cocolalla & Pend Oreille Lakes Railroad Expansion, Dakota Access & Other Pipeline Leaks, Montana Tribal Anti-Pipeline Rally, Bayou Bridge Resistance, Appalachia Tree-Sitter Blockades, G20 Fossil Fuels Agreement 6-13-18


The Wednesday, June 13, 2018 Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activist collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features news and reflections on railroad bridge and track construction around Cocolalla and Pend Oreille lakes, Moscow and Sandpoint #No2ndBridge discussions, allied, June fundraising events, Dakota Access and other pipeline leaks during 2017, a tribal, anti-pipeline rally in Great Falls, Montana, Louisiana resident resistance to the Bayou Bridge pipeline, tree-sitter blockades of an Appalachian pipeline, anti-G7 protests in Quebec, and a G20 agreement to invest in fossil fuels.  Broadcast for six years on progressive, volunteer, community station KRFP Radio Free Moscow, every Wednesday between 1:30 and 3 pm Pacific time, on-air at 90.3 FM and online, the show describes continent-wide opposition to fossil fuel projects, the root causes of climate change, thanks to the generous, anonymous listener who adopted program host Helen Yost as her KRFP DJ.

Climate Justice Forum: Sandpoint Lake Rail Bridge Testimony & Moscow Discussion, Washington Train Injury of Teen, Newport Silicon Smelter Lawsuit, Exploratory Silica Drilling Approval, EPA Head Scott Pruitt Transfer of Water Pollution Oversight to Idaho, Small Nuclear Reactors Planned for Idaho 6-6-18


The Wednesday, June 6, 2018 Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activist collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features recorded, Idaho Department of Lands hearing testimony on proposed, Sandpoint area, railroad bridge and track construction, and news and reflections on a second lake rail bridge discussion in Moscow, a teen injured by a Washington train, a lawsuit against the Newport silicon smelter land sale, Forest Service approval of exploratory, silica drilling near Lake Pend Oreille, a Boise visit by EPA head Scott Pruitt to transfer federal, water pollution authority to the state, and small nuclear reactors planned for Idaho.  Broadcast for six years on progressive, volunteer, community station KRFP Radio Free Moscow, every Wednesday between 1:30 and 3 pm Pacific time, on-air at 90.3 FM and online, the show describes continent-wide resistance to fossil fuel projects, the root causes of climate change, thanks to the generous, anonymous listener who adopted program host Helen Yost as her KRFP DJ.

Friday, June 8, Second Lake Rail Bridge Discussion in Moscow


At 7 pm on Friday, June 8, please join Palouse Environmental Sustainability Coalition (PESC), Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), and concerned community members and activists for refreshments, an open meeting, and a slideshow presentation about Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway plans to construct two temporary and three permanent, parallel bridges and two miles of doubled tracks across Lake Pend Oreille, Sand Creek, and Sandpoint, Idaho.  PESC and WIRT event hosts will provide snacks, offer printed material, and accept admission donations at this free event that opens at 6:30 pm, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse, 420 East Second Street in Moscow.

Through images and stories, learn about the ongoing and potential, significant impacts of north Idaho, railroad ‘funnel’ infrastructure, transportation, and expansion on regional, lake and aquifer water supplies, air quality, noise, public and environmental health and safety, threatened bull trout and fish and wildlife habitat, wetlands and shorelines, indigenous rights, historic sites, fossil fuel trains and pollution, derailment hazards, emergency responses, vehicle traffic, boat navigation, recreation and tourism, businesses and residences, and other relevant, public interest factors.  Consider how you can participate in state and federal reviews and permit decisions on BNSF applications for the proposed Sandpoint Junction Connector project, ideally analyzed through an environmental impact statement, as requested by the City of Sandpoint.

For further event and issue information, please print, post, and share the accompanying, PDF flyer, check for updates on WIRT facebook and website pages, and visit the PESC and WIRT outreach tables at Moscow Farmers Market on Saturday, June 9, and at the Farmers Markets in Sandpoint and Moscow throughout the season.  We hope to talk with you about this critical situation at all these events!

Climate Justice Forum: Sandpoint Railroad Expansion Hearing Testimony, Rail Worker Compensation for Hearing Participation, Record Northwest Train Traffic, Tar Sands Pipeline Purchase by Canada 5-30-18


The Wednesday, May 30, 2018 Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activist collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features recorded, Idaho Department of Lands hearing testimony on proposed, Lake Pend Oreille railroad bridge and track expansion, and news and reflections on Canadian government purchase of a tar sands pipeline construction project, railroad compensation of worker participation in public hearings, and recent, record-setting, Northwest train traffic.  Broadcast for six years on progressive, volunteer, community station KRFP Radio Free Moscow, every Wednesday between 1:30 and 3 pm Pacific time, on-air at 90.3 FM and online, the show describes continent-wide resistance to fossil fuel projects, the root causes of climate change, thanks to the generous, anonymous listener who adopted program host Helen Yost as her KRFP DJ.

Climate Justice Forum: Lake Pend Oreille Rail Bridge Hearing Testimony & Rally, Railroad Safety Violation Whistleblower, Idaho Oil & Gas Forced Pooling & Millennium Coal Terminal Rejection Lawsuits 5-23-18


The Wednesday, May 23, 2018 Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activist collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features recorded, Idaho Department of Lands hearing testimony on Lake Pend Oreille railroad bridge and track expansion impacts, and news and reflections on a No2ndBridge rally, railroad employee disclosure of safety violations, and federal lawsuits against Idaho oil and gas forced pooling of mineral owners and Washington state rejection of the Millennium coal terminal.  Broadcast for six years on progressive, volunteer, community station KRFP Radio Free Moscow, every Wednesday between 1:30 and 3 pm Pacific time, on-air at 90.3 FM and online, the show describes continent-wide resistance to fossil fuel projects, the root causes of climate change, thanks to the generous, anonymous listener who adopted program host Helen Yost as her KRFP DJ.

Climate Justice Forum: Lake Pend Oreille Railroad Expansion Hearings, Rallies, & Chamber of Commerce Speech, North Idaho Flooding, Native Idaho Governor Paulette Jordan Election Victory, Minnesota Tar Sands Pipeline Corridor Denial 5-16-18


The Wednesday, May 16, 2018 Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activist collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features news and reflections on upcoming rallies and hearings resisting Lake Pend Oreille railroad bridge and track expansion impacts, a railroad speech at a Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce luncheon, Pend Oreille lake and river flooding, primary election victory for Native, Idaho gubernatorial candidate Paulette Jordan, and a Minnesota judicial report denying a new corridor for tar sands pipeline Line 3.  Broadcast for six years on progressive, volunteer, community station KRFP Radio Free Moscow, every Wednesday between 1:30 and 3 pm Pacific time, on-air at 90.3 FM and online, the show describes continent-wide opposition to fossil fuel projects, the root causes of climate change, thanks to the generous, anonymous listener who adopted program host Helen Yost as her KRFP DJ.

Climate Justice Forum: North Idaho Earth Day Speeches & Songs, Northwest Fossil Fuel Train Volumes, New Lake Pend Oreille Rail Bridges Impacts, Millennium Coal Terminal Permit Denial, Local Idaho Oil & Gas Laws 4-25-18


The Wednesday, April 25, 2018 Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activist collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide, features a recording of the April 23, North Idaho Earth Day celebration, and news and reflections on Northwest coal, oil, and tar sands train volumes, noise and water pollution impacts of two proposed railroad bridges across Lake Pend Oreille, the Washington Shorelines Hearings Board denial of development permits for the Millennium coal export terminal, and local, Idaho, oil and gas laws protecting residents from nearby facilities.  Broadcast for six years on progressive, volunteer, community station KRFP Radio Free Moscow, every Wednesday between 1:30 and 3 pm Pacific time, on-air at 90.3 FM and online, the show describes continent-wide opposition to fossil fuel projects, the root causes of climate change, thanks to the generous, anonymous listener who adopted program host Helen Yost as her KRFP DJ.

Climate Justice Forum: Lake Pend Oreille Coal Pollution & Bi-Directional Rail Bridges, Millennium Coal Terminal Health Study & Lawsuit, Postponed Spokane Train Blockader Trial, Eagle Oil & Gas Ordinance, State Oil & Gas Meetings in Payette, Delta Five Court of Appeals Hearing, Tacoma LNG Plant Resistance, Earth Day Gatherings 4-18-18


The Wednesday, April 18, 2018 Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activist collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide, features news and reflections on railroad coal pollution and bi-directional train bridge expansion in Lake Pend Oreille, a coal impacts health study and lawsuit on the Millennium train terminal, a postponed, Spokane, fossil fuel train blockader’s necessity defense trial, a protective, city, oil and gas ordinance in Eagle, Idaho Oil and Gas Conservation Committee meetings in Payette, the Delta Five, oil train blockaders’ Court of Appeals hearing, resistance to Tacoma liquefied natural gas plant construction, and upcoming, Earth Day gatherings.  Broadcast for six years on progressive, volunteer, community station KRFP Radio Free Moscow, every Wednesday between 1:30 and 3 pm Pacific time, on-air at 90.3 FM and online, the show describes continent-wide opposition to fossil fuel projects, the root causes of climate change, thanks to the generous, anonymous listener who adopted program host Helen Yost as her KRFP DJ.

April WIRT & Allied Events


Wednesday, April 18: Sandpoint WIRT Meeting & Film Screening

Invite your friends and families, and join the regional, climate activist community, #No2ndBridge group members, and Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT) organizers for the April, third-Wednesday, monthly, WIRT gathering at the Gardenia Center, 400 Church Street in Sandpoint, at 7 pm on Wednesday, April 18.  Discussions and action plans include Earth Day and Farmers Market outreach in Moscow and Sandpoint, an oil and gas waste injection well protest and petition presentation in Boise, and ongoing, dirty energy transportation monitoring and reporting.  We especially need your participation in work on a #No2ndBridge petition, banner, brochures, comment talking points, Sandpoint rally and demonstration with speakers on Saturday, April 28, information sessions around the inland Northwest, regional attendance and expert testimony at the May 23 hearings in Ponderay and Sandpoint, and summer, direct action training camp, all opposing Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway track and bridge expansion of the coal, oil, hazmat, and possibly tar sands pipeline-on-wheels across Sandpoint and Lake Pend Oreille in north Idaho.

All are welcome to bring their creative ideas and energies and potluck food and beverages, to share current, issue updates and background, and to explore strategies and tactics in support and solidarity with grassroots, Northwest, fossil fuels resistance.  At this convergence, we will also view the 2016, Break Free documentary Disobedience, a brief film that describes the global, climate justice movement led by common people taking courageous actions against the power and pollution of the fossil fuel industry, and accelerating the clean energy revolution on the front lines of every continent [1, 2].  Contact WIRT via email or phone, with your questions and suggestions about potential meeting topics and activities.

Sunday, April 22: North Idaho Earth Day Celebration

Hosted and sponsored by 350Sandpoint, North Idaho Women, and the Sandpoint Annual Earth Day Festival, this 48th, public, Earth Day celebration and march will highlight local concerns over HiTestSand’s silicon smelter proposed for Newport, Washington, and planned construction of doubled railroad tracks and three bridges across Lake Pend Oreille and Sandpoint [3, 4].  Other event offerings include free health screenings, activities for children, live music, and an Earth-themed, costume contest with prizes for kids aged 12 and younger and adults.  Organizations working to keep Idaho healthy, wild, and beautiful, by educating and activating the local community, will offer information booths, voter registration, the Idaho Medicaid petition, and much more.  Enjoy and learn with your friends and family, between 12 and 3 pm on Sunday, April 22, at Farmin Park, Oak and Fourth streets in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Sunday, April 22: Moscow Nelsebration

The family, friends, and north Idaho/Palouse community of Nels Peterson lost a beautiful soul on March 21.  WIRT activists and supporters knew Nels from the Panhandle Artisan Bread Company and as a drummer with the Moscow Volunteer Peace Band and Henry C and the Willards, who played at more tar sands megaload protests and Annual Celebrations of Wild Idaho Rising Tide than any other musicians.

In memory and spirit of the tremendous love, strength, and peace that Nels brought to the Moscow area, his community invites everyone missing Nels during his transition to join with all the lives he touched, in a Nelsebration party in honor of Nels [5].  On Sunday, April 22, at 5:30 pm, the Moscow Volunteer Peace Band will gather at Friendship Square in downtown Moscow, and proceed to the 1912 Center, at 412 East Third Street in Moscow.  From 6 to 9 pm there, Henry C and the Willards and The Intentions will perform live music shows, Moscow Brewing Company will provide beer and wine, and participants may bring dishes of food to share.

Postponed: Spokane Train Blockader Necessity Defense Trial

In August and September, 2016, six Spokane area members of local Raging Grannies and Veterans for Peace chapters blocked coal and oil trains, with two acts of nonviolent, civil disobedience [6, 7].  Police arrested and charged all six protestors with trespass and obstructing a train.  Five pled guilty, for various reasons, at summer 2017 hearings in Spokane District Court.  Only Reverend George Taylor chose to move forward with his case to jury trial, and filed a motion asking Judge Debra Hayes to allow his attorneys to present a necessity defense, arguing that he committed one harm to prevent the greater health risks, environmental dangers, and imminent harms of fossil fuel train pollution, derailments, explosions, and fires (like in Mosier, Oregon, on June 3, 2016) and of their cargo’s combustion, greenhouse gas emissions, and consequent exacerbation of climate change. Continue reading

Climate Justice Forum: North Idaho Railroad Expansion Impacts, South Idaho Diesel Pipeline Leak, New Washington Solar Farm, B.C. Indigenous Blockade & Trans Mountain Pipeline Suspension, Bayou Bridge Pipeline Resistance & Anti-Protest Legislation 4-11-18


The Wednesday, April 11, 2018 Climate Justice Forum radio program, produced by regional, climate activist collective Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features news and reflections on railroad bridge and track expansion impacts on Lake Pend Oreille and the region, a Tesoro diesel pipeline leak in south central Idaho, Washington’s largest solar farm construction near Lind, an indigenous leader blockade and Kinder Morgan suspension of work on the Trans Mountain pipeline, and Bayou Bridge pipeline resistance and anti-protest legislation in Louisiana.  Broadcast for six years on progressive, volunteer, community station KRFP Radio Free Moscow, every Wednesday between 1:30 and 3 pm Pacific time, on-air at 90.3 FM and online, the show describes continent-wide, community opposition to fossil fuel projects, the root causes of climate change, thanks to the generous, anonymous listener who adopted program host Helen Yost as her KRFP DJ.