Washington, D.C. – Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, along with 1st District Congressman Raul Labrador, have sent a letter to the Seattle office of the U.S. Coast Guard, asking for a timely review of a planned jet boat race near St. Maries called “Race the Joe.” Race events are scheduled May 17 - 19, 2013.
Race organizers had received local and state approvals for the second year of the boat race when a complaint about potential environmental impacts of the event triggered a permitting process through the U.S. Coast Guard. The USCG says the typical time needed to conduct an environmental assessment is 135 days, well beyond the date of the event.
In the letter to Rear Admiral Keith Taylor, the three members of Idaho’s congressional delegation wrote, “we ask that you use your authority to issue the permit to allow the races to proceed as planned.”
Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter also wrote a letter, asking the USCG for a quick review of the complaint and included a memo from the Idaho Fish and Game providing information on mitigation efforts to minimize potential disturbances on eagle nests.
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