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At issue is Coeur d’Alene Paving’s request to operate an asphalt plant on its rural property just south of Highway 53 between Atlas and Ramsey roads. Commissioners voted down the request last summer because of neighbors’ concerns over air quality and traffic. We urge commissioners to approve the permit request tomorrow night for several reasons/CDA Press Editorial Board. More here.
Question: Would you want an asphalt plant near you?
D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.
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Duffer on March 25 at 4:07 p.m.
Uhhhh…NO!
I certainly don’t blame the neighbors who live in the area. There was a similar confrontation several years ago when Interstate wanted to mine gravel nearby. The County approved that one but with limitations. But, it doesn’t stink…only dusty!
hhuseland on March 25 at 8:27 p.m.
I happened to sit next to a Coeur d’ Alene paving employee earlier tonite. He was discussing the issue. He believes that the State issued a permit with the blessing of the EPA for an ultramodern plant, that unlike older ones, do not issue fumes that permeate the neighborhood. He also pointed out that they have the contract for the expansion of Hwy 95 from Garwood north … unless they can’t produce the asphalt. Is this just a “not in my back yard thing?” I cruised the sites last Summer and found everything south of the highway to be heavily industrialized, including an existing asphalt plant. If not there, where?
Do we wish to ship 50 jobs over to Spokane where asphalt is plentiful? Or do we want to get with the program and keep the jobs for out own highways at home. It also has been rumored that whomever shut this plant down is in bed with Interstate, just up the street. The outcome will be interesting, with me on the side of our homegrown industry.