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)

Climate Justice Forum: Alma Hasse & Tina Fisher 9-17-12

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On the Monday, September 17, 2012, Climate Justice Forum radio program, Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT) again welcomes Alma Hasse and Tina Fisher of Idaho Residents Against Gas Extraction, talking about the Global Frackdown! demonstration in Boise on Saturday, September 22, citizen concerns about impending natural gas fracking, injection wells, and associated facilities, and upcoming initiatives to ban these toxic practices.  Broadcast on KRFP Radio Free Moscow between 7:30 and 9:30 pm PDT live at 92.5 FM and online, and later aired on KMEC in Ukiah, California, the show also covers continent-wide dirty energy developments and climate activism news.  Listen to an edited recording of the September 17 Climate Justice Forum posted in Radio4All and adopt WIRT as your KRFP DJ.

Global Frackdown! in Boise

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During the 2012 Idaho legislative session, a majority of our state senators and representatives succumbed to the mercenary ambitions of the oil and natural gas industry and passed state laws and regulations allowing hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) and subsequent waste injection wells accommodating oil and gas exploration, production, and transportation in the state.  Despite sustained outcry from thousands of citizens and diligent input from scientists, elected officials, and conservation organizations, our delegates have effectively compromised our drinking water, jeopardized our health, undermined local protective ordinances, threatened agricultural communities, endangered tourism revenue, and risked the state’s lands and economy.

In response to our policy makers and in conjunction with the Global Frackdown! on Saturday, September 22, concerned citizens and climate justice activists from across Idaho are converging to stage the first public demonstration against looming initial fracking in Idaho.  As we craft a ballot measure to ban all toxic oil and gas practices statewide, Wild Idaho Rising Tide, Idaho Residents against Gas Extraction (IRAGE), and other groups and individuals are launching a petition and rally on the Jefferson Street steps of the Idaho Capitol in Boise (700 West Jefferson Street).  Join us between 11 am and 12:30 pm with your family and friends and protest signs, banners, and chants.  Contact Wild Idaho Rising Tide at 208-301-8039 or Idaho Residents against Gas Extraction at 208-695-1556 for information about carpools embarking from northern and southern Idaho respectively.  (We are departing the south lot of Eastside Marketplace in Moscow at 5 pm on Friday, September 21, and returning on Saturday evening.)

Idahoans and neighbors, please profusely print and post this letter-sized, color Global Frackdown in Boise Flyer, hand distribute this Global Frackdown in Boise Quarter Flyer, and do not miss this historic event!  Thanks!

Cross-posted in the Earth First! Newswire: Global Frackdown! in Boise, Idaho

Climate Justice Forum: Pat Rathmann 9-10-12

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On the Monday, September 10, Climate Justice Forum radio program, Wild Idaho Rising Tide welcomes Pat Rathmann of the Palouse Environmental Sustainability Coalition, discussing her participation and reflections on the third annual Tar Sands Healing Walk hosted by First Nations near Fort McMurray, Alberta, on August 4.  Broadcast on KRFP Radio Free Moscow between 7:30 and 9:30 pm PDT live at 92.5 FM and online, the show also covers continent-wide dirty energy developments and resistance to tar sands pipeline spills in Alberta, Keystone XL pipeline construction in Texas, solar panel farms and  hydraulic fracturing on Western public lands, and oil drilling in Arctic waters.

Wild Idaho Rising Tide Activist Yost’s Obstructing Trial Postponed

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Wild Idaho Rising Tide Activist Yost’s Obstructing Trial Postponed between 10:44 and 9:04 on the Wednesday, September 5, KRFP Radio Free Moscow Evening Report, Lochsa Exchange Idaho County

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 →

Climate Justice Forum: Ron Seifert 9-3-12

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The Monday, September 3, Climate Justice Forum radio program, hosted by Wild Idaho Rising Tide, features Ron Seifert, a climate activist and spokesperson for Tar Sands Blockade, describing the background and participants in the campaign against TransCanada’s construction of the Keystone XL pipeline in Oklahoma and Texas.  Ron discusses current issue developments including a recent direct action training workshop (the Texas Keystone Convergence), landowner lawsuit, protest actions, and opportunities and expectations for resolution of the situation.  Broadcast on KRFP Radio Free Moscow between 7:30 and 9:30 pm PDT live at 92.5 FM and online, the show also covers continent-wide dirty energy developments and resistance to tar sands facilities in Alberta and British Columbia, coal infrastructure in Florida and Washington, and seismic testing and permits for natural gas production in Idaho.  Listen to an edited recording of the September 3 Climate Justice Forum posted in Radio4All and adopt WIRT as your KRFP DJ.

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)

Yost Pleads Guilty to Disturbing the Peace in Sign Throwing Incident

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Yost Pleads Guilty to Disturbing the Peace in Sign Throwing Incident between 16:31 and 13:09 on the Monday, August 27, KRFP Radio Free Moscow Evening Report, Sign Throwing Plea

Climate Justice Forum: Helen Yost 8-27-12

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The Monday, August 27, Climate Justice Forum radio program, hosted by Wild Idaho Rising Tide (WIRT), features weekly host Helen Yost reading the court statement she delivered today while pleading guilty to disturbing the peace at a March 2012 tar sands megaload protest in Moscow.  We also discuss court cases and on-the-ground resistance to TransCanada’s initial construction of the Keystone XL pipeline and seizures of private lands under eminent domain.  Listen to KRFP Radio Free Moscow between 8:00 and 9:30 pm PDT live at 92.5 FM and online, as the show also covers continent-wide climate activism news, and adopt WIRT as your KRFP DJ.