By Cameron Rasmusson
Reader Staff
Wild Idaho Rising Tide, an environmental activist organization, is challenging a state permit issued to BNSF’s proposed rail bridge expansion.
Filed in the First Judicial District Court of Idaho in Bonner County, the appeal requests a review “of the entire record, proceedings, findings of fact, conclusions of law, preliminary order and final order of this application, (hearing) case and permit.”
The appeal constructs its legal case on an argument that the permit, issued by Idaho Department of Lands, does not uphold the regulatory standard mandated by the Lake Protection Act and Rules for the Regulation of Beds, Waters, and Airspace over Navigable Lakes. It also questions the value the permit decision places on a U.S. Railroad land grant law, which the appeal claims is antiquated. According to Wild Idaho Rising Tide, the potential impacts of the bridge’s construction and operation to the local environment and economy demand a closer analysis of the state’s regulatory responsibility.
While we have you ...
... if you appreciate that access to the news, opinion, humor, entertainment and cultural reporting in the Sandpoint Reader is freely available in our print newspaper as well as here on our website, we have a favor to ask. The Reader is locally owned and free of the large corporate, big-money influence that affects so much of the media today. We're supported entirely by our valued advertisers and readers. We're committed to continued free access to our paper and our website here with NO PAYWALL - period. But of course, it does cost money to produce the Reader. If you're a reader who appreciates the value of an independent, local news source, we hope you'll consider a voluntary contribution. You can help support the Reader for as little as $1.
You can contribute at either Paypal or Patreon.
Contribute at Patreon Contribute at Paypal
Coming up this week! Don’t miss out on Toast To Pride, Kental Mountain Tour, Opening Day at the Farmer’s Market... and more! See the full list of events in the 
