Megaloads Hearing

A Missoula City-County Health Department official says roadside turnouts needed to haul huge loads of oilfield equipment through northwestern Montana threaten the watershed.

The Missoulian reports environmental health supervisor Peter Nielsen testified Monday at a hearing in which the county and three conservation groups are seeking a preliminary injunction against a plan to move more than 200 loads of equipment through Montana.

Last month, District Judge Ray Dayton of Anaconda granted a temporary restraining order against the Kearl Module Transport Project until a hearing was held on the request for a preliminary injunction.

Nielsen testified Monday that additional study has left him even more convinced that the Transportation Department's environmental assessment on the plan did not adequately address water resource issues.

Dayton has scheduled three days for the hearing.
Story from The Associated Press