The Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho says it wasn't consulted about plans to transport heavy loads of equipment through the reservation.

The Idaho Department of Transportation approved permits for ConocoPhillips to move refinery equipment on a route along the Nez Perce National Historic Trail. And there's a pending request from ExxonMobil Canada for even more heavy equipment.

"Coming into our reservation, our home, and not even talking to an indigenous tribe?" Nez Perce Vice President Brooklyn Baptiste told The Los Angeles Times. "We're afraid it'll turn into some major port of entry for those types of loads."

A lawsuit against the ConocoPhillips permit is being heard by the Idaho Supreme Court on Thursday.

Get the Story:
Big oil refinery loads spark big battle (AP 9/26)
Proposed industrial route through scenic Idaho raises alarm (The Los Angeles Times 9/15)