Category Archives: Issues

Global Frackdown! in Boise 9-22-12

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On a Saturday autumnal equinox, over three dozen fracking protesters from Idaho, Oregon, and Washington participated in the Global Frackdown! in Boise on the Idaho Capitol steps. In conjunction with similar demonstrations in 200 places around the world, the mid-day rally and evening message projection drew leadership and support from Idaho Residents Against Gas Extraction, Wild Idaho Rising Tide, United Vision for Idaho, Occupy Spokane, Occupy Boise, the Ontario Autonomous American Indian Chapter, GMO Free Idaho, and concerned citizens of the region. Organizers, speakers, and protesters attracted local television news coverage as they exposed the potential risks of looming hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) and waste ejection wells in Idaho, called for stronger government oversight, and launched an informal statewide petition requesting a ban of these processes that contaminate water, air, and land.

Alma Hasse of Idaho Residents Against Gas Extraction addresses protesters near an unfurled list of known carcinogenic chemicals in fracking fluids.

Wild Idaho Rising Tide activists display the group banner in protest of impending fracking in Idaho.

Terry Hill of Occupy Spokane composes a photo of Global Frackdown! in Boise participants.

Alma Hasse of Idaho Residents Against Gas Extraction outlines the dangers of fracking, while concerned citizens converge with their protest signs and banners.

The Idaho fortress of political inertia towers over citizens demanding a reliably healthy environment and future without fracking.

Over three dozen fracking protesters from across the region participated in the demonstration that drew support from Idaho Residents Against Gas Extraction, Wild Idaho Rising Tide, United Vision for Idaho, Occupy Spokane, Occupy Boise, the Ontario Autonomous American Indian Chapter, GMO Free Idaho, and concerned citizens and children.

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Anti-Fracking Rally Kicks Off on the Steps of the Idaho State Capitol

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The Global Frackdown! in Boise appeared on the local Saturday evening, September 22, ABC/FOX television news.  Concurrently with anti-fracking demonstrations in 150 worldwide locations, concerned organizers, speakers, and protesters from Idaho Residents Against Gas Extraction, Wild Idaho Rising Tide, United Vision for Idaho, Occupy Spokane, Occupy Boise, the Ontario Autonomous American Indian Chapter, and GMO Free Idaho rallied on the downtown Capitol steps to launch and support a statewide ban of hydraulic fracturing and waste ejection wells and to expand awareness and expose the potential risks of these processes and attendant chemicals that could contaminate water, air, and environments.  View the KIVI Channel 6 Idaho On Your Side newscast Anti-Fracking Rally Kicks Off on the Steps of the Idaho State Capitol.

(By Jennifer Auh, KIVI TV Boise)

Butch Tells Whoppers

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Linwood Laughy, Kooskia

The Lewiston Tribune 9/4/12

Governor C.L. (Butch) Otter tells whoppers.  In March 2011, he told a congressional committee that more folks visit the Coeur d’Alene golf course floating green than the Frank Church Wilderness.  Was he unaware that more than 35,000 visitors recreated in the Frank in 2010?

A year earlier, contrary to 50 years of Federal Highway Administration research, Otter repeatedly claimed that a megaload weighing 600,000 pounds with multiple axle weights exceeding 35,000 pounds would cause no more highway damage than a one-ton pickup.

Otter added another whopper at a recent event doling out $1.3 million in taxpayer money for a dock extension at the Port of Lewiston, where container shipments have declined 75 percent during 10 years.  At the invitation-only, police-guarded gathering, Otter was quoted saying, “Next to throwing, water is the cheapest way to move goods.” Continue reading →

Idaho Auctions Off the Payette River to Oil and Natural Gas Company

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For only $2.35 per acre, the Idaho Department of Lands leased 1900 acres of state mineral and surface rights in Payette and Gem counties to Snake River Oil and Gas at an auction on August 3.  The transferrable, ten-year (or indefinite if productive) leases for oil and gas exploration and development cover 44 tracts of public trust lands BENEATH navigable river and lake beds along the Payette River (see the map).  The high (and only) bidder railroaded through the 2012 Idaho legislative session House Bill 464, which undermines local control of oil and gas facilities siting and ordinances, and other industry-favorable laws and state regulations.  Snake River Oil and Gas will perform seismic tests to gather data and map areas surrounding the river, but lease preconditions disallow drilling on (but not under?) the river.  Proceeds from the state’s 12 percent royalty fee on oil and natural gas production revenues could benefit Idaho’s general fund (soon ravaged by the aftermath of mine-and-run gas companies).  Peruse the following local, state, and national articles for more information:

Gem County Acres Leased for Oil and Gas Exploration

Snake River Oil and Gas Wins Oil and Gas Lease Bids from State

Idaho Oil, Gas Leases Generate Just Over $4,450

(From WIRT Newsletter)

Welcome, Mr. Secretary. Why’d You Come?

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Marty Trillhaase, Editorial Page Editor, Lewiston

The Lewiston Tribune 2/4/12

Aside from former Idaho governors who wind up in a presidential administration – Interior Secretaries Cecil D. Andrus or Dirk Kempthorne – Lewiston doesn’t often see a cabinet member stop by.

So Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s visit Wednesday to the Port of Lewiston was a big deal.  The former seven-term House member runs an agency that employs 55,000 people and spends $70 billion.

Thanks, Mr. Secretary, for coming to see us – or at least a selected group of 50 dignitaries and reporters you invited to attend – Wednesday.

Just one question: Why did you come?  No, really.

Supposedly, the visit was timed to highlight a $1.3 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Discretionary Grant allowing the port to expand its container dock.

But that’s old news.  The grant was awarded in June.  Plus, it’s $1.3 million, not $1.3 billion, not even $130 million. Continue reading →

Alberta Tar Sands: an Environmental Disaster Coming Our Way

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For the Palouse Environmental Sustainability Coalition at 7 pm on Friday, August 24, Helen Yost presented the story and images of the Third Annual Tar Sands Healing Walk, organized by First Nations (native) people, through the desolate landscape of Alberta tar sands operations.  In the lower community room of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse at 420 East Second Street in Moscow, Helen and presentation participants also discussed the interrelationships of corporate/governmental development of and citizen resistance to Alberta and Utah tar sands, the Keystone XL pipeline, and regional megaloads of processing equipment.  View a pdf version of her slideshow of the Third Annual Tar Sands Healing Walk.

Protesters Object to Tax Dollars Funding the Port of Lewiston

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A group of protesters crowded the entrance to the Port of Lewiston Wednesday, chanting and holding up signs in outrage regarding a recent port grant.

Protesters said their anger is directed toward the federal government, who granted the port $1.3 million for the inland port improvement on the Columbia/Snake River System.  Protestors said spending millions of taxpayer dollars for a port that’s not producing jobs or enough shipments is a substantial waste of money.

“The port continues to prove that it is not a job maker and it is in fact a money loser,” said protester Brett Haverstick.  “Even from a common person’s perspective, dock extension makes no sense.  Where is the business?”

Protesters also showed their disapproval of the grant, voicing their concerns about more megaload traffic and the negative impact it inflicts on the environment.  The activists also provided onlookers with informational sheets explaining why they believe the Port of Lewiston extension is a bad idea.

See the video at: Protesters Object to Tax Dollars Funding the Port of Lewiston

(By Whitney Hise, KLEW TV Lewiston)

Lewiston Port Project Draws Cabinet Visit

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Idaho Senator James Risch, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Idaho Governor C.L. (Butch) Otter, and Idaho Senator Mike Crapo were at the Port of Lewiston Wednesday to promote the expansion of cargo traffic through the port (The Lewiston Tribune/Barry Kough photo).

A group called Wild Idaho Rising Tide protested Wednesday during a visit by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood at the Port of Lewiston (The Lewiston Tribune/Barry Kough photo).

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood hears about effect of $1.3 million dock extension grant

The area’s elected officials got a rare chance Wednesday to thank a Cabinet official on their home turf for the $1.3 million his agency gave to an expansion of the Port of Lewiston’s container dock.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood toured the dock that stands in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley, one of the few U.S. communities of about 50,000 that’s more than an hour away from a multi-lane interstate highway.

LaHood answered media questions and heard praise of the grant from Idaho’s governor, senators, and the port president.

The port received a $1.3 million grant in June from the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Discretionary Grant program. The money will help the port add 150 feet to its 120-foot container dock, which handles paper and agricultural products. The goods are barged to Portland, Oregon, then transferred to bigger vessels to be shipped overseas. Continue reading →

Transportation Secretary’s Visit is Invitation-Only

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A group of about 50 Port of Lewiston customers, local elected officials, and reporters have been asked to attend an invitation-only Wednesday visit of a White House Cabinet official.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will tour the Port of Lewiston port dock at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, according to a news release issued Monday by the port.

LaHood will be joined by Idaho Governor C.L. (Butch) Otter, U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, and U.S. Senator Jim Risch in an event expected to last about 45 minutes.

Wood products and agriculture entrepreneurs will also be among the guests, said David Doeringsfeld, Lewiston port manager. “It’s not often you get a Cabinet secretary in Lewiston, and we’re pretty excited.”

LaHood will be underlining a June $1.3 million federal grant to the port’s container dock expansion from the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Discretionary Grant program, Doeringsfeld said. Continue reading →