1. Project overview
2. Final EIS, other documents

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management wants to downsize the Lava Ridge wind project, but several Idaho leaders say the project should not proceed.

Magic Valley Energy LLC, a unit of New York-based LS Power, submitted a proposal that calls for up to 400 turbines and associated infrastructure on about 84,000 acres of federal, state and private land 25 miles northeast of Twin Falls. Turbines would be up to 740 feet tall, and the facility’s generating capacity would be at least 1,000 megawatts.

But BLM’s preferred alternative, part of a June 6 Final Environmental Impact Statement, reduces the footprint by nearly half, the number of turbines to 241 and the maximum turbine height to 660 feet.

A Record of Decision will be released after at least 30 days following notice that the Final EIS is available, according to the bureau. The notice appeared in the Federal Register June 7.

The Final EIS provides analysis of the proposed action, four additional alternatives and a no-action alternative. Action alternatives inform the preferred alternative, which responds to resource-impact concerns raised by tribes, agencies and the public, according to BLM. The bureau received more than 11,000 comments in the earlier Draft EIS process.

The preferred alternative would reduce impacts on the Minidoka National Historic Site, big-game migration routes and winter concentration areas, Jerome County Airport, agricultural aviation and adjacent landowners, according to BLM.

Magic Valley Energy is “pleased to see that the Final EIS includes a new agency preferred alternative that appears to strike an appropriate balance between the protection of environmental resources and the need for additional domestic energy production,” Luke Papez, senior director of project development for LS Power, said in a statement. “The new preferred alternative points to the benefits of a collaborative process. Input from stakeholders has deeply shaped the new alternative that benefits Idaho’s future while keeping Lava Ridge viable.”

BLM will continue to work with the company, stakeholders and the community to ensure a final decision minimizes impacts and protects sensitive resources, said Heather Tiel-Nelson, Twin Falls District public affairs specialist. The bureau will use information in the Final EIS “to take a hard look at the alternatives and potential impacts to then issue a Record of Decision,” which could include any of the elements in the alternatives. Consultation with tribes will continue.

BLM’s preferred alternative “wasn’t put before the people” as were alternatives in the Draft EIS, said Jerome County Commission Chairman Ben Crouch.

“They didn’t get the input for that as they did the other five,” he said. “We still contend that this particular one didn’t have the comment on it, and right now there’s really not going to be a comment period.”

Jerome County commissioners committed $10,000 to hiring a Boise law firm to pursue legal action, Crouch said. They plan to explore opportunities for more counties to join, and for more funding.

Jerome and six other counties, and the legislature, last year opposed Lava Ridge. Other state leaders formally expressed strong concern.

The federal land component is an issue in that “we don’t have a say on it,” Crouch said, whereas a proposal on private land would be considered by planning and zoning commissions.

As for Lava Ridge, “we are opposed to it, even reduced, because of the effects” such as to the aquifer, grazing, the Jerome airport, land values and Minidoka, he said.

“Idaho doesn’t need or want this project,” said Idaho Rep. Jack Nelsen, R-Jerome. “Half size is still offensive.”

“With a decision made, Idaho citizens and officials can now engage,” he said. He expects widespread opposition, including from the state and communities.

Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo and Rep. Mike Simpson, all R-Idaho, and Gov. Brad Little and Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke issued statements opposing Lava Ridge and BLM’s preferred alternative. Attorney General Raul Labrador on June 6 appealed to the Federal Aviation Administration to reconsider its determination that the project causes no hazard.

“This is the latest example of the Biden administration’s unsound energy agenda,” Little said. BLM is “determined to give California electricity from Idaho despite overwhelming opposition from Idahoans and contrary to formal actions by Idaho’s county, state and federal elected officials.”