As part of President Biden’s push to increase renewable energy projects on public land, The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comments regarding the Lava Ridge Wind Project. Magic Valley LLC, is looking to lease 73,000 acres of BLM land northeast of Twin Falls, Idaho. This will be the biggest wind project in Idaho, and one of the biggest wind projects in the world. If you recreate in southeastern Idaho, it is likely this project is in your backyard. We’ve consulted with local clubs and they have concerns that several well-used roads aren’t included in BLM’s analysis. The proposed project includes up to 400 wind turbines. Many off-road recreationists access this area, and this project could greatly restrict future access if we don’t make our voices heard. The Deadline for commenting on the project is 10/20/2021.
We’ve put together an action alert that identifies some of the key issues BRC members should be aware of. We’re hopeful the BLM can develop alternatives that will minimize impacts to recreation, but they need to hear from us. The tool below makes it easy for you to submit a comment with just a few clicks, and you also have the ability to customize your comment if you have more familiarity with the project and want to express your specific concerns. Of course we’ll be engaging on this issue as an organization as well.
The area of the Lava ridge proposed wind farm has several Native American sites throughout the project.
Also many unnamed caves.
This area is a heavily used winter range for deer, elk and antelope in the winter especially in very heavy snow years.
I grew up on that desert as I live a few miles away and have spent every spring riding motorcycles and Side by sides from the substation to Wilson butte cave.
The livestock industry on this piece of ground has over a 100 uear history, along with creating long term jobs the livestock help prevent major wildfires. Will grazing be able to continue as it has the past century?
I know everyone I talk to about this project is against it for many reasons, I just hope they comment.
In my opinion, there are desert areas in the SW that are better suited for wind turbines than the NW. The NW human population is increasing at a frightening rate and is already impacting recreational land use. Hunting, OHV use, hiking, etc. on NW public lands is increasing. We cannot lose recreational multiple use access to any more public lands.
I do not support this project at all. We have enough structure in this area and the last thing we need is more concrete. The wind turbines are not as “efficient” as they claim them to be. They are not a recyclable resource either, when they break. I dont approve of littering and will not approve of this. Keep the concrete in the cities and leave the public land to the people. You want to put them somewhere? Put them in california. They need the power more than we do.
No industrial wind farms. They are a cash cow for developer. Not green they destroy the land
I have many concerns about the proposed Lava Ridge Wind power project. That is already a multiple use area. There are wild animals and domestic animal using that area. Ranchers and recreationalists already share that area. The main road is in use by multiple people. That area also has Native American cave sights, historical and archaeological evidence. I would encourage that all the roads, large and small trails remain open to the public. I believe that multiple use of this land should have priority over the wind turbine use. I think all the users should be grandfathered as a priority use of the land and that the windmill corporation would be secondary to closing roads for “security” reasons. I would also like to question if research has been done about migratory bird use in this area.
Absolutely NO!
This is pristine land that should not be used for this purpose!
There are already too many of these monstrosities in Idaho and other surrounding states!