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Idaho Statesman writer, Rocky Barker, writes a great recap on staff attorney Kristin Ruether's argument yesterday to protect the treasured Boise River from Atlanta Gold's arsenic pollution.

After Advocates for the West filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Idaho Conservation League, Atlanta Gold suddenly wants to abandon their responsibility to clean up after itself.  Arsenic and heavy metals from the mine's adit are currently leaking into Montezuma Creek, a tributary of the Middle Fork Boise River.

After being stalled for what was reported as "mechanical" difficulties, the second megaload finally united with the first after being stranded in the snow near Lolo Hot Springs.  Crews were digging the megaload out of the snow all Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Idaho's megaload monitors can finally look forward to some well-deserved sleep.  After over a month of timing, taking pictures and video, and logging every move the megaloads make, all within the law, the second megaload crossed the Montana/Idaho border. 

In her email thanking the Idaho monitors, Borg Hendrickson of Fighting Goliath noted that monitors have endured intimidation and harassment from the Idaho State Police, entrusted to protect and serve taxpayers.

Monday night saw no movement of the second megaload heading to Montana.  It is not expected that ExxonMobil will act on its permit and take a test load up Highway 12 tonight either.   

Read Advocates for the West's Executive Director Laird Lucas' take on the goings-on at last night's Missoulian link below.

The second megaload left Lewiston last Thursday night, reportedly causing no violations in delays but scraped some lightpoles along the road.  Seven trucking companies rearranged their schedules to allow easier passage for the second megaload which made it to Kooskia (mile post 73.7) at 4:15 am Saturday morning, ahead of schedule.  

Over the weekend, the first megaload reached Montana and was met with protest.  Read media coverage, including video of the protest, below.

If you have pictures of megalods or story, please email us at info@advocateswest.org.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) issued a press release late yesterday describing the megaload travel plan over the next couple of days.  Travelling 30 miles per night, ITD estimates that the load will reach Montana Thursday night/Friday morning.  Read the press release below.

Boise Weekly has been closely following the megaloads as the case unfolds.  This article contains an admission from Idaho Transportation Department that they have approached by Korea's Harvest Energy, who is interested in shipping their megaloads on Wild and Scenic 12 as well.   

ConocoPhillips has run into some snags during their trek through the north. 

Currently, General Winter is being blamed for stopping the megaloads in their tracks. 

But after a weekend of side-swiping cliff walls, leaving a trail of debris in the road, and holding up traffic for up to 59 minutes, the Idaho Transportation Department has required the oil giant to revise their traffic plan before the loads can continue.  It is unclear whether the plan has been revised.

See the links below for the latest news on the megaloads.