BOISE, Idaho — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on Thursday released its final environmental review for the proposed Lava Ridge Wind Project, a large-scale wind farm located northeast of Twin Falls.
BLM's preferred alternative, detailed in its review, would decrease the number of wind turbines from 400 to 241 and aims to cap the maximum height of the electricity-generating turbines at 660 feet.
The updated plan also would put the closest turbine to the Minidoka National Historic Site at nine miles away. BLM on Thursday said adjusting the corridor configuration aims to help "preserve the visitor experience of the remote nature of the former incarceration site for Japanese Americans during WWII."
Magic Valley Energy, LLC – a subsidy of LS Power in New York – proposed the Lava Ridge Wind Project in 2020. The wind farm was originally proposed to be built within roughly two miles of the visitor center for the Minidoka National Historic Site.
The Bureau of Land Management released its draft environmental impact statement in January 2023, naming two preferred alternatives for the proposed project. The draft EIS was followed by a 90-day comment period. BLM said the draft EIS generated more than 11,000 public comments and 1,400 scoping comments.
Officials said the final environmental review decreases the "area disturbed" by nearly 50%, from 8,395 acres to 4,492 acres. According to BLM, the Lava Ridge Wind Project could create 20 permanent jobs once completed and close to 700 jobs during its three-year construction.
Original proposal with 740-foot turbines as seen from the Minidoka National Historic Site:
Preferred alternative with 660-foot turbines as seen from the Minidoka National Historic Site (shown in red on the right):
"The preferred alternative also reduces potential impacts to sage grouse, large wildlife migration routes and winter concentration areas, cultural resources, Jerome County Airport and agricultural aviation uses, public land ranchers, and adjacent private landowners," BLM's news release said.
If the new preferred alternative is selected, BLM estimates the project's construction to generate $21.9 million in tax revenue annually and contribute $138.9 million in total economic output. Labor, materials and taxes are expected to have a $7.5 million economic output at minimum annually upon full operation.
The BLM said the preferred alternative unveiled Thursday was created through engagement with landowners, ranchers, Tribal Nations, federal, state and county elected leaders, interested organizations, the BLM’s Resource Advisory Council for the area and the National Park Service.
U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) both wrote on social media Thursday sharing their opposition to the Lava Ridge Wind Project, with Simpson calling BLM's final environmental impact review "a slap in the face to Idahoans."
"Idahoans could not be more clear that they do not support Lava Ridge," Risch said. "Yet, for some reason, the BLM continues to push forward this project that no one in Idaho wants. This is not over—I will continue to fight this unnecessary and ill-begotten project."
Many neighbors of the proposed project, including the group Friends of Minidoka, have also voiced their concerns with what would be the largest wind farm in the Gem State. The project has been under review for nearly three years under the National Environmental Policy Act.
“At the request of the Bureau of Land Management, we provided detailed historical research to the Biden Administration to enable them to better protect the lands where American citizens of Japanese ancestry were unjustly incarcerated and exploited for labor to clear land and build infrastructure,” said Robyn Achilles, Executive Director of Friends of Minidoka. “Most of that research was disregarded in this decision. They are choosing to flout National Park Service policies which protect a historic landscape in favor of a highly damaging and obstructive project. The Biden Administration needs to do a better job and make a real commitment to protect Minidoka and our heritage, or we will be dealing with Lava Ridge and other projects forever.”
The BLM will release a final decision through a Record of Decision in no sooner than 30 days.
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