Megaload encounters few protesters in Montana

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — A large water purification unit for an oil sands project in Canada made its way through Missoula early Tuesday after a brief protest. No arrests were made. The 225-foot load encountered numerous protests last week as it traveled through tribal land and a federally protected river corridor in northern Idaho. Police Sgt. Jerry Odlin says between 20 and 25 protesters stepped onto the road in front of the load in Missoula. He says Montana Highway Patrol officers ordered them off the road and about two minutes later, they left. The load continued on to the truck stop at Bonner, where it will stay during the day Tuesday. The loads can only travel at night. The load left the Port of Wilma near Clarkston, Wash., on Aug. 5.