The Lava Ridge Wind Project is a proposed wind farm in Magic Valley, Idaho, near the Minidoka Internment Camp historical site. The proposed project would support the largest wind farm in the country. While there are definitely pros to a wind energy farm for Idaho, an energy-importing state that relies heavily on dirty energy (coal, fossil fuels…), there are also objections. Wind turbines can cause harm to airborne species. Specifically to Lava Ridge, the expanse of the project could disrespect the Minidoka historic site, whose desolate landscape is crucial for visitors to garner some awareness of what the camp used to be, and disrupt sage-grouse and Pronghorn habitat.
Today, we learned about some of the consequences Pronghorn and sage-grouse may face if Lava Ridge in its proposed form may face. Garrett Visser talks through why these are concerning, and how the BLM might be able to mitigate the consequences while still bringing renewable energy to Idaho.
Further resources!
Portneuf Resource Council’s new website: portneufresourcecouncil.org
Learn about Idaho’s Sage-Grouse: https://idfg.idaho.gov/wildlife/sage-grouse
Learn more about Idaho’s Pronghorn: https://www.nps.gov/crmo/learn/nature/pronghorn.htm
Bureau of Land Management’s information on Lava Ridge (inducing the DEIS!): https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2013782/510
A link directly to the PDF with the DEIS and the executive summary of the DEIS: https://eplanning.blm.gov/public_projects/2013782/200493266/20072054/250078236/Lava_Ridge_DEIS_V1_ExecSum-Chapters.pdf
BLM press release about the Resource Advisory Council: https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-idaho-resource-advisory-councils-lava-ridge-subcommittee-meet-2
An article from Magic Valley.com, a local Twin Falls newspaper: https://magicvalley.com/opinion/our-view-there-s-nothing-left-to-say-about-lava-ridge-now-we-wait/article_d4da4712-e0c7-11ed-8903-97733bb10ac7.html
“What is Lava Ridge and Why is It Important?” An article written by the Friends of Minidoka: https://www.minidoka.org/lava-ridge
Read about some of the arguments against Lava Ridge at Stop Lava Ridge Project: https://stoplavaridge.com/
Hear about the Lava Ridge Project directly from Magic Valley Energy, who proposed the project: https://www.magicvalleyenergy.com/projects/
Read about ungulate migration and industrial energy development: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-022-01887-9
We recognize that any construction on migration land is disruptive, and we are not trying to promote one way or another for Lava Ridge, but instead express all the support and concerns that we have heard from those intimately involved in the project.
For comments, topic suggestions, or more information, please reach out to Jessa at brigjes2@isu.edu.
