The company hired to move two large water purification units through Idaho and Montana en route to an oil sands project in Canada has announced plans to begin moving its first load on Monday night.
The Idaho Transportation Department on Friday issued a permit for Omega Morgan to begin moving the 225-foot-long loads from the Port of Wilma near Clarkston, Wash., and along scenic U.S. Highway 12 in north central Idaho.
ITD advised the company that the U.S. Forest Service has jurisdiction to review the permit.
However, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest Supervisor Rick Brazell tells the Lewiston Tribune that he does not believe the Forest Service has the authority to stop the shipments.
The Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee passed a resolution Sunday opposing the shipments and urging the Forest Service to block them.