Lawsuit on N. Idaho Mega Loads Delayed

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — A hearing in a lawsuit that seeks to compel the U.S. Forest Service to block large shipments of oil field equipment from traveling through the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest has been delayed until Sept. 8. Meanwhile, Omega Morgan has agreed not to ship any megaloads on U.S. Highway 12 through northern Idaho until Sept. 18. The Lewiston Tribune reports a subsidiary of General Electric Co. is seeking to intervene in the lawsuit filed by the Nez Perce Tribe and Idaho Rivers United, saying it could lose up to $75 million if a contract was canceled. Resources Conservation Company International said it could suffer $3.6 million in damages if it doesn't deliver water evaporators on time to oil fields in Alberta, Canada, while it could cost $5.1 million more to use alternate routes.