{"id":20728,"date":"2024-04-03T01:07:34","date_gmt":"2024-04-03T07:07:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/?p=20728"},"modified":"2024-04-01T16:14:15","modified_gmt":"2024-04-01T22:14:15","slug":"lava-ridge-blaine-county","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/2024\/04\/03\/lava-ridge-blaine-county\/","title":{"rendered":"Lava Ridge & Blaine County"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lava Ridge Affects Everyone<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

BY ISAIAH FRIZZELL<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s almost a certainty that if you live in Blaine County you\u2019ve heard of the Lava Ridge Wind Project. So what is it and why is there so much controversy? It\u2019s designed to be the biggest wind power farm in the nation yet the energy will not go to Idaho and has turned into an environmental bipartisan issue. At the very crux is the concern with the State of Idaho\u2019s rights and concerns when opposed to federal legislation.<\/p>\n

Lava Ridge<\/strong>
\n\u201cThe Lava Ridge Wind Project is a proposed wind farm from MVE (Magic Valley Energy). The original project proposes 400 turbines across 75,000 acres of public land. The majority of the turbines would stand over twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty\u2014with the tallest towers standing about 740 feet. They would occupy land in Jerome, Lincoln and Minidoka counties. It would contain the largest wind towers in the world and be the biggest wind farm in the nation.\u201d (stoplavaridge.com)
\nWind turbines \u2013 but they are renewable \u2018green\u2019 energy, right? Surely that\u2019s a good thing. Imagine paying a lower power bill.
\n\u201cThe energy generated by the turbines would not benefit Idaho residents but instead be shipped to California. Idaho residents would be negatively impacted in many ways:<\/p>\n

Impacts on Blaine County:
\n\u2022 Grazing
\n\u2022 Farming
\n\u2022 Aviation
\n\u2022 Fire Suppression
\n\u2022 Emergency Communication
\n\u2022 Water
\n\u2022 Roads & Traffic
\n\u2022 Post-Construction & Decommissioning Land Rehab
\n\u2022 Health Concerns
\n\u2022 Ground Temperature Change
\n\u2022 Hunting
\n\u2022 Wildlife
\n\u2022 Recreation
\n\u2022 Historical & Cultural Sites
\n\u2022 Scenic Landscape
\n(stoplavaridge.com)<\/p>\n

Many people and groups use the public lands where the proposed project is to be built, from biking groups, ranchers, backcountry enthusiasts and photographers, to supporters and visitors of the Minidoka National Historic Site. The core issue at stake in the Lava Ridge project has to do with aesthetics, land use, actual power distribution, quality of equipment and historical status for trauma relief.
\n\u201cMinidoka National Historic Site in Jerome, Idaho, tells the painful stories of the unconstitutional forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Minidoka is a place to heal deep emotional trauma, educate the public about racial injustice, and commemorate our ancestors. When visiting the site, visitors experience a sense of isolation and remoteness due to the sweeping vistas of surrounding lands and distant mountains.
\n\u201cThe proposed Lava Ridge Wind Project will forever alter Minidoka\u2019s somber landscape and fails to honor the significance of the events that occurred at Minidoka as a place of reflection, healing, and education for the survivors, descendants, and public. The proposed project places 340 towers in the Minidoka NHS viewshed with 12 of those towers on the historic Minidoka footprint.
\n\u201cThe Minidoka community of survivors and descendants deserve the respect and acknowledgment of this gross violation of civil liberties by our nation\u2019s government through the preservation of the site. The Minidoka story must be recognized and treated in an honorable and somber manner as other painful events in our nation\u2019s history. The proposed Lava Ridge project minimizes the trauma, loss, and humiliation suffered by American citizens based solely on racial discrimination.\u201d (minidoka.org)
\nAs the turbine farm was to originally be placed directly on the site, talks with the public have helped steer deployment. In a gesture, the project managers and BLM have changed the location so that now it is to be adjacent to the site; however, the size and area of the turbines indelibly alter the site and dislodge the land of its natural beauty for miles.<\/p>\n

Green Power<\/strong>
\nThe issue of whether or not the turbines work as intended is well worth researching. The turbines are powered by generators or through the grid directly. The DC power they do generate after boot-up trickles into the grid after being balanced back to AC power with more power from the grid. The company that produces them leases them to the landowner who collects a small percentage of money for their production where the leasing company collects the rest and generally allocates all liability for any malfunction or problem with the disposable turbines on the leasee.
\nThe turbines are known for catching fire. Fire Safety Science has written a comprehensive article on this problem at https:\/\/publications.iafss.org\/publications\/fss\/11\/983\/view\/fss_11-983.pdf\\
\n\u201cWe have found that fire is the second leading cause of catastrophic accidents in wind turbines (after blade failure) and accounts for 10% to 30% of the reported turbine accidents of any year since the 1980s. In 90% of the cases, the fire leads to a total loss of the wind turbine, or at least a downtime that results in the accumulation of economic losses. The main causes of fire ignition in wind turbines are (in decreasing order of importance): lightning strikes, electrical malfunction, mechanical malfunction, and maintenance. Due to the many flammable materials used in a wind turbine (e.g., fiberglass-reinforced polymers, foam insulation, cables) and the large oil storage used for lubrication of mechanical components, the fuel load in a turbine nacelle is commonly very large. (publications.iafss.org)<\/p>\n

Energy<\/strong>
\nThe most practical issue with the Lava Ridge project is the size and the fact that what power is generated will be directed to residents of California. Idahoans will not reap any benefits from this project, which is helmed by Magic Valley Energy, a subsidiary of New York-based LS Power.
\n\u201cWe recognize the impact on ranching and farming\u201d and \u201chave been coordinating with them since the beginning,\u201d said Luke Papez, Nevada-based senior director of project development for LS. The developer plans to alleviate potential impacts, such as by replacing lost forage.
\n\u201cThe problem always has been how big they want to make this thing,\u201d said Darren Taber, a Lincoln County farmer. Access to on-site roads would be from narrower roads designed for tiny traffic volumes and farm vehicles, he said.
\nDean Dimond, whose farm could be less than an eighth of a mile south of a turbine, depending on the final design, said that in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer\u2019s lava rock, most wells lack the traditional long case to keep the hole open. The aquifer is less like a lake and more like \u201ca series of lava tubes,\u201d he said. He\u2019s concerned the tall towers\u2019 vibrations could cause partial cave-ins or alter groundwater flow.
\nPotential impact on raptors also concerns Dimond, as \u201cabout every third or fourth year we get hit with a vole infestation\u201d that the birds of prey help alleviate.
\nStronger, farther-reaching wind turbulence from the bigger towers is among Crop Jet Aviation owner George Parker\u2019s concerns. Pilots would face new safety considerations.
\nLava Ridge stands to affect 42 ranching families and about 62,000 animal unit months. An AUM is a measure of a month\u2019s worth of forage for a cow-calf pair or five sheep with lambs. Replacement of 30% to 50% of total feed would be needed.\u201d (wind-watch.org)<\/p>\n

Politics<\/strong>
\nThe Idaho House of Representatives unanimously opposed the project.
\nU.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo and Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, all Idaho Republicans, introduced the \u201cDon\u2019t Develop Obstructive Infrastructure on our Terrain Act.\u201d
\nCoined the \u201cDon\u2019t DO IT Act,\u201d by its sponsors, it would require the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to deny any wind or solar energy project proposed on public land that is disapproved of by the state Legislature. The bill was inspired by a proposed wind project in Idaho that has sparked significant controversy.
\nLetters have been written as this issue is centered entirely on states\u2019 rights in opposition to federal legislation.
\n\u201cIn a joint letter with the Idaho delegation to BLM state director Karen Kelleher, Idaho Governor Brad Little and Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke previously expressed concerns about the wind project to the BLM.
\n\u201cAffected farmers, ranchers, tribes, the Japanese American community and sportsmen have voiced legitimate objections,\u201d they said in the letter. \u201cAs it stands today, the local community predominantly has not shown support for this development.\u201d
\nIn the letter, the officials said the project conflicts with \u201cdeep-rooted\u201d Idaho values for land conservation and land use opportunities for recreation, grazing and sporting activities.\u201d (dahocapitalsun.com)
\nWill legislation and public concern from the State of Idaho matter to the federal agency, the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management (BLM)?<\/p>\n

BLM<\/strong>
\nThe BLM released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement in August 2023.
\n\u201cThe Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published a notice of availability for the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Lava Ridge Wind Project (the project) in the Federal Register on January 20, 2023. The notice is available at https:\/\/www.govinfo.gov\/content\/pkg\/FR-2023-01-20\/pdf\/2023-00646.pdf.
\n\u201cThis began a 60-day public comment period, which was extended to 90 days and ended on April 20, 2023.\u201d (eplanning.blm.gov)
\nIn a Preliminary Summary of Public Comments, they document the impact of the project through the eyes of the people \u2014 the residents who would most be affected by this massive industrial facility.
\n\u201cThe BLM received a total of 11,179 submissions during the public comment period\u2026 In all, 119 submissions came from commenters who indicated they were representing an organization, business, tribal nation or tribal entity, or government agency. All other submissions came from unaffiliated individuals.
\nThe issues of most concern were: Air quality \u2013 avian and bat species, including greater sage-grouse and eagle species \u2013 Aviation climate and greenhouse gases Cultural resources and Native American concerns \u2013 Environmental justice and socioeconomics \u2013 Fire and fuels management \u2013 Geology and mineral resources \u2013 Hazardous materials and solid waste \u2013 Human health and safety Issues not considered in detail \u2013 Land use and livestock grazing.\u201d (eplanning.blm.gov)
\nIt is interesting that they note the use of this public outreach.
\n\u201cThe BLM read, analyzed, and considered all comments of a personal or philosophical nature and all opinions, feelings, and preferences for one element or one alternative over another. Because such comments were not substantive, the BLM will not respond to them.
\nIt is also important to note that although the BLM reviewed and considered all comments, none were counted as votes. The NEPA public comment period is neither an election nor does it result in a representative sampling of the population. Therefore, public comments are not appropriate to be used as a democratic decision-making tool or as a scientific sampling mechanism.\u201d (eplanning.blm.gov)<\/p>\n

Speaking Up
\nThere is much to weigh in on here. The project aims to produce the most energy of all wind farms in the nation but it will take an unprecedented amount of land to do so and disrupt all manner of industry and the wellbeing of animals and humans through direct individual harm and indirect destruction of natural resources and species.
\nThere are multiple outlets to make your voice heard. You can find a wealth of information and articles on the Facebook page Stop Lava Ridge. There are videos of what it\u2019s like to live near a wind farm and plenty of testimony and article links to points of interest.
\nWhat do you think? Should the turbine farm be put in Magic Valley? If you want it, there isn\u2019t much to do. If you oppose it, you can write letters and make phone calls to state officials.
\nIt is advised that you represent some type of industrial or living space and wellbeing impact.
\nContact stoplavaridge.com at https:\/\/stoplavaridge.com\/contact-government-officials\/
\n\u201cThe preferred way to comment is through the BLM\u2019s explaining project site https:\/\/eplanning.blm.gov\/eplanning-ui\/project\/2013782\/510. Click on the \u201cParticipate Now\u201d button to the right of the document link. Enter your comment and information, then click \u201cSubmit.\u201d (stoplavaridge.com)
\nOnce again, it\u2019s up to the community to take action for what it believes in. You can make your voice heard!<\/p>\n

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Lava Ridge Affects Everyone BY ISAIAH FRIZZELL It\u2019s almost a certainty that if you live in Blaine County you\u2019ve heard of the Lava Ridge Wind Project. So what is it and why is there so much controversy? It\u2019s designed to be the biggest wind power farm in the nation yet the energy will not go […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":20729,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","_pvb_checkbox_block_on_post":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[65,72,5,18,28,44,50,56],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-20728","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-blaine-county","8":"category-community","9":"category-environment-2","10":"category-news","11":"category-recreation","12":"category-technology","13":"category-transportation","14":"category-wildlife-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20728","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20728"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20728\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20730,"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20728\/revisions\/20730"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20729"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20728"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20728"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/woodriverweekly.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20728"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}