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| Mega-load crossing an Athabasca River bridge |
April 1, 2011, For Immediate
Release
Missoula, Montana - Today,
Missoula County and the National Wildlife Federation - along with the
Montana Environmental Information Center and the Montana Chapter of
the Sierra Club represented by the Western Environmental Law Center
(Missoula office) and local attorneys Robert Gentry and Summer Nelson
- filed
a lawsuit in Montana District Court
to protect Montana‘s citizens, economy and ecosystems from the potentially
harmful impacts of Exxon/Mobil‘s mega-load transport project.
In February, the Montana Department
of Transportation erroneously concluded there would be no environmental
or economically significant impacts from a project that seeks to drive
over 200 mega-sized loads across Montana‘s highways to the tar sands
in Alberta, Canada.
Kyla Wiens, energy advocate
with the Montana Environmental Information Center asserts that: “Exxon/Imperial
Oil‘s plan is shortsighted and ignores the project‘s significant
impacts on Montana citizens and our environment.”
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| Tar Sands Strip Mine |
The plaintiffs seek a full
environmental impact statement on the project. An EIS would evaluate
a full range of alternatives, including alternative routes. The
proposed route across Lolo Pass, along the Blackfoot River and up the
Rocky Mountain Front will create potential long-term costs to Montana
taxpayers with wear and tear on highways, bridges and sewer lines. It
will also create impacts to roadway safety, emergency services, prized
waterways, tourism and business sites.
Sarah McMillan, attorney with
the Western Law Environmental Center argues: “The agency‘s
review of the project failed to take a hard look at all the impacts
of the construction and use of an industrial corridor that runs along
some of Montana‘s most treasured rivers and streams, and through our
scenic mountains and rural Montana.”
Additionally, the plaintiffs
claim this project should be evaluated regarding its intended facilitation
of carbon intensive tar sands mining and consequent heavy-crude oil
production which contributes profoundly to the impacts of climate change
in Montana and worldwide.
Sierra Club member, John Wolverton
said: “As a trip leader, I have guided many people on canoe trips
and hikes in the wild-lands that would be affected by these mega-loads.
I want to ensure these wild places I care about are protected from degradation
due to climate change and corporate greed.”
Tom France, an attorney with
the National Wildlife Federation, added: “Exxon‘s mega-loads put
Montana at risk while locking us into a future of dirty energy from
abroad. Before we let polluters run roughshod through Montana we must
have a proper review of the environmental costs and risks.”
