Missoula County opposes HB 513, which would eliminate review of oversized load transport through the Montana Environmental Policy Act. The transport of oversized loads and construction of facilities to allow such transport may have significant impacts on public safety, environmental quality, economic and cultural resources. The impacts of transporting one or two such loads may not be significant, but the cumulative impacts of transporting hundreds of loads on narrow two lane roads over mountain passes may be very significant. There often are better ways to get the job done, better routes to take for transport. The review process helps identify better alternatives.
As most of you have heard, we opposed the large-scale transport of oversized loads over Lolo Pass along Highway 12, and up the Blackfoot River Valley along Highway 200 in Missoula County. We prevailed in litigation proving that the environmental impacts of such transport were significant and should be carefully reviewed. We identified significant impacts to public safety and our economy , wetlands, water quality, floodplains and aquatic resources. Through the process, alternative routes were found that did not have these negative impacts on our citizens and environment. We do not oppose the lawful transport of loads on these alternative routes. We believe that it would be mistake for the Legislature to throw out the process of review for these projects. The review process can make the projects better, protect our aquatic resources, ensure public safety, and benefit our citizens. Please oppose HB 513.
Missoula County opposes House Bill 513 - Exempt oversize load permits from the Montana Environmental Policy Act, before Senate Natural Resources this afternoon. The transport of oversized loads and construction of facilities to allow such transport may have significant impacts on public safety, environmental quality, economic and cultural resources. The impacts of transporting one or two such loads may not be significant, but the cumulative impacts of transporting hundreds of loads on narrow two lane roads over mountain passes may be very significant. We don't know what the next big rig will be carrying or how large it will be. Let's not take away the agency's ability to review future permit applications for impacts and their ability to make balanced, accountable decisions that include a public process and public participation. The review process can make projects better, protect our aquatic resources, ensure public safety, and benefit our citizens. Please oppose HB 513.
Respectfully, Dale Bickell on behalf of the Missoula County Commissioners
Missoula County opposes House Bill 513 - Exempt oversize load permits from the Montana Environmental Policy Act, before the Senate this afternoon. The transport of oversized loads and construction of facilities to allow such transport may have significant impacts on public safety, environmental quality, economic and cultural resources. The impacts of transporting one or two such loads may not be significant, but the cumulative impacts of transporting hundreds of loads on narrow two lane roads over mountain passes may be very significant. We don't know what the next big rig will be carrying or how large it will be. Let's not take away the agency's ability to review future permit applications for impacts and their ability to make balanced, accountable decisions that include a public process and public participation. The review process can make projects better, protect our aquatic resources, ensure public safety, and benefit our citizens. Please oppose HB 513.
Respectfully, Dale Bickell on behalf of the Missoula County Commissioners
Missoula County opposes HB 513, which would eliminate review of oversized load transport through the Montana Environmental Policy Act. The transport of oversized loads and construction of facilities to allow such transport may have significant impacts on public safety, environmental quality, economic and cultural resources. The impacts of transporting one or two such loads may not be significant, but the cumulative impacts of transporting hundreds of loads on narrow two lane roads over mountain passes may be very significant. There often are better ways to get the job done, better routes to take for transport. The review process helps identify better alternatives.
ReplyDeleteAs most of you have heard, we opposed the large-scale transport of oversized loads over Lolo Pass along Highway 12, and up the Blackfoot River Valley along Highway 200 in Missoula County. We prevailed in litigation proving that the environmental impacts of such transport were significant and should be carefully reviewed. We identified significant impacts to public safety and our economy , wetlands, water quality, floodplains and aquatic resources. Through the process, alternative routes were found that did not have these negative impacts on our citizens and environment. We do not oppose the lawful transport of loads on these alternative routes.
We believe that it would be mistake for the Legislature to throw out the process of review for these projects. The review process can make the projects better, protect our aquatic resources, ensure public safety, and benefit our citizens. Please oppose HB 513.
Senator Larsen,
ReplyDeleteMissoula County opposes House Bill 513 - Exempt oversize load permits from the Montana Environmental Policy Act, before Senate Natural Resources this afternoon. The transport of oversized loads and construction of facilities to allow such transport may have significant impacts on public safety, environmental quality, economic and cultural resources. The impacts of transporting one or two such loads may not be significant, but the cumulative impacts of transporting hundreds of loads on narrow two lane roads over mountain passes may be very significant. We don't know what the next big rig will be carrying or how large it will be. Let's not take away the agency's ability to review future permit applications for impacts and their ability to make balanced, accountable decisions that include a public process and public participation. The review process can make projects better, protect our aquatic resources, ensure public safety, and benefit our citizens. Please oppose HB 513.
Respectfully,
Dale Bickell on behalf of the Missoula County Commissioners
Sent to all Missoula Senators:
ReplyDeleteMissoula County opposes House Bill 513 - Exempt oversize load permits from the Montana Environmental Policy Act, before the Senate this afternoon. The transport of oversized loads and construction of facilities to allow such transport may have significant impacts on public safety, environmental quality, economic and cultural resources. The impacts of transporting one or two such loads may not be significant, but the cumulative impacts of transporting hundreds of loads on narrow two lane roads over mountain passes may be very significant. We don't know what the next big rig will be carrying or how large it will be. Let's not take away the agency's ability to review future permit applications for impacts and their ability to make balanced, accountable decisions that include a public process and public participation. The review process can make projects better, protect our aquatic resources, ensure public safety, and benefit our citizens. Please oppose HB 513.
Respectfully,
Dale Bickell on behalf of the Missoula County Commissioners