Opponents of megaloads on U.S. Highway 12 in north-central Idaho have filed an appeal of the state hearing officer's findings and recommendation after a contested case hearing. The appeal, which you can read online here, contends that the hearing officer focused in his findings only on arguments presented by ITD and ConocoPhillips, and didn't deal with issues raised by the opponents. “ITD has a duty to consider all of the relevant facts and evidence before making a final determination," said Laird Lucas of Advocates for the West, attorney for the opponents. "We’re taking exception to the hearing officer’s recommendation because he didn’t do that.”

ITD spokesman Jeff Stratten said ITD and ConocoPhillips now have 21 days to submit their responses to the appeal. ITD Director Brian Ness plans to review the filing and the responses before he rules on the issue, which regards whether permits should be granted for four megaloads proposed by ConocoPhillips to travel from the Port of Lewiston to Billings, Mont.