A citizens group in Montana is seeking support from Island Park residents on pressuring legislators to curb (or drastically reduce) the number of long-haul trucks that come through Island Park and then on through the Madison River Valley to Ennis.
Research in Island Park shows that during the day, a long-haul truck will pass by and average of every three minutes. Many use “jake” brakes to slow down, destroying the serenity many of our visitors come here to find.
But there is something almost un-American to tell truckers they have to go around. The difference in going from Idaho Falls to Bozeman through Island Park and Ennis is significantly shorter than going north to Butte on I-15 and then East to Bozeman.
I find it hard to decide where I stand. I find it interesting that the people who complain most about the trucks are often the ones who complain most about the cost of everything the trucks bring. They are also, I’m generalizing here, the ones who complain most about pollution, the un-green nature of our society and the way we’re damaging our environment.
In a lot of ways, it’s the standard NIMBY (not in my backyard) problem. We all agree coal-fired power plants, prisons, gravel pits, youth centers, skateboard parks, etc., etc., etc. are necessary, but I don’t want them built where I am. I’d much rather they build where you are.
The truck debate will continue to rage and I suppose eventually there will be enough support to force them to go around. How that squares with product pricing, fuel waste and environmental damage is beyond my ability to calculate. If you feel strongly, let us know.
