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Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Seven Chemical related Spills hit the State of Idaho in 2011, down to two in 2012

Mark Reinhardt-Boise Idaho

Idaho is often considered a place of natural beauty and wonder when talking about the wilderness areas of the state. During sessions of the Idaho Legislature, a great deal of controversy in recent sessions has involved  Public Lands, and protecting the Environment surrounding areas of Idaho. One example involved protests surrounding the transit of Oil Equipment across a narrow stretch of Highway.





The protests themselves, were dubbed, "The Megaloads Protests" after the size of the equipment being hauled down a stretch of Highway in Northern Idaho. Where environmental safety concerns were highly prevalent during that time.

The body representing the State of Idaho during fuel and chemical spills is called, "The Idaho Board of Examiners." A political body whose in charge of addressing payments relating to law suits and environmental damages.

Whenever there is a chemical spill involved, the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security sends an invoice for the amount of money needed to cover clean-up costs. Those same costs also related to the clean up of Meth Labs, Biohazard Incidents, and investigations of White Powder packages.

In 2011, a chemical related accident had occured in Nez Perce County Idaho. The subsequent amendment that was shown in red, had paid for the cost of clean up in full.

Board of Examiners meeting minutes for 1-19-11


The most notable set of meeting minutes from the Board of Examiners, was dated May, 17th 2011, in which, four separate chemical related spills had been billed to the State of Idaho by the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security.

Board of Examiners Meeting Minutes May, 17th 2011

Activist group "Wild Idaho Rising Tide" had begun the process for another Megaloads Protest in October of 2012.
Environmental activists were increasingly concerned about the ability to have their voices heard on the issues after a Scandal involving Idaho State Senator Monty Pierce placing an Oil Drilling Lease on his property.
http://www.boiseweekly.com/CityDesk/archives/2012/03/16/sen-monty-pearces-oil-and-gas-lease-makes-rounds-at-capitol
An Ethics Committee investigation was later started after news of the Drilling Lease had made it into the mainstream.

As environmental concerns mount within the state, many Idaho Residents are now wondering if the State Legislature has been bought by corporations. Citing campaign contributions given to Elected Officials by different energy companies.






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