Idaho environment abused

The approval of refinery equipment megaloads for Conoco Phillips and subsequently hundreds for Exxon Mobil to roll along and across the wild, scenic Lochsa River in the next two years has much in common with other environmentally unwise decisions by our legislators in Idaho.

The Idaho Transportation Department director’s findings that the loads can be moved safely overruled people’s concerns.

Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s refueling depot was built over the Spokane-Rathdrum Aquifer, the sole source of drinking water for more than 500,000 residents. The “state of the art facility,” as it was promoted, leaked and had to be shut down for over two months.

How could a contaminated soil repository be allowed on the flood plains between Cataldo and Lake Coeur d’Alene? At stake: water resources protection.

Never mind that megacorporation Coke will be happy to sell us all the drinking water we need. A landmark case, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, decided a year ago, permitted corporate funds to be used directly in political campaigns. Therefore, our right of legislative representation has been trampled by megamoney from megacorporations.

It is up to us to raise the issues and reclaim democracy from well-financed special interests.

Cecilia Nolthenius

Coeur d’Alene