A push by the federal government to lease areas off the southern Oregon coast for wind energy isn’t sitting well with some Native American tribes.

The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians passed a resolution Oct. 25 opposing offshore wind development in Oregon and criticizing the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s process for engaging with tribal nations.

Brad Kneaper, chairman of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw tribal council, said that after meetings with BOEM officials, “it was apparent to the tribe that its concerns regarding offshore wind development’s impacts to fisheries and cultural resources were not going to be addressed in a meaningful way.” 

“We recognize that all energy development has impacts,” Kneaper said. “BOEM has failed to provide assurance that wind energy development will do good and not harm to the tribe, its members and the greater coastal community.” 

The tribes raised concerns about whether wind turbines in the Pacific Ocean would disrupt fishing and block culturally significant viewsheds. 

“Green infrastructure must not trump the federal government’s obligations to protect tribal resources. That is simply green colonialism,” said Doug Barret, the council’s vice chairman. “Because an energy is renewable is not justification enough to rush a process, to ignore or minimize adverse impacts to our community, environment or cultural resources.” 

Consultation lacking

BOEM has been working to identify areas suitable for floating wind turbines along the Oregon coast as part of the Biden administration’s goal to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030.

Earlier this year, the agency announced two draft “wind energy areas” off the coast near Coos Bay and Brookings. 

A public comment period on the draft areas ended Oct. 31. BOEM also hosted five in-person and virtual meetings to share information and garner feedback, at the request of Gov. Tina Kotek and members of Oregon’s congressional delegation.

Despite the meetings, Kneaper said that BOEM has fallen short of its duty to consult meaningfully with tribal nations.

“This process is running roughshod over tribal concerns, the concerns of commercial fishing, and local government,” Kneaper said. “The (potential deployment) of 30 gigawatts of wind energy by 2030, while an admirable goal, should not provide a blank check for BOEM to disregard the coastal resources that we hold dear.” 

The Pacific Fishery Management Council, which includes tribal representatives, has already called on BOEM to rescind the Oregon offshore wind areas and start the siting process over. 

BOEM has stated this is just the first step of a larger process.

Officials will review all comments before finalizing the two wind energy areas, and then conduct a full environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act for potential leasing to developers, said BOEM spokesman John Romero.

NEPA analysis will also be required for individual wind projects after leases are issued.

“We are actually years away from actual steel in the water,” Romero said.

Tribal objections

Other tribes submitted comments on the Oregon wind energy areas, stating their concerns haven’t been addressed.

Carla Keene, chairwoman of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, wrote in her comments to BOEM that not enough information has been provided to fully analyze potential impacts to tribal resources.

“We need additional information on potential impacts to fish and wildlife and their habitats, as well as effects from potential earthquakes and tsunamis to offshore wind energy development,” Keene wrote. 

Brenda Meade, chairwoman of the Coquille Indian Tribe, called on BOEM to engage in formal consultation with tribes — and not just a series of public meetings to share information. 

“As of today, we have not had anything approaching an acceptable level of consultation or mutual agreement,” Meade wrote.  

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs also submitted comments on the draft wind energy areas.

Though the Warm Springs Reservation is in Central Oregon, the tribes argue that impacts on migratory salmon in the ocean could affect their ability to swim up back up the Columbia River and its tributaries, where they are harvested by tribal members for food and religious ceremonies.

Austin Smith Jr., general manager of the Warm Springs tribes’ Branch of Natural Resources, urged BOEM to reconsider its process, saying it is prioritizing approval of wind energy projects over meaningful tribal engagement and incorporation of Indigenous knowledge.

“We urge BOEM and Interior to adopt a more robust procedure that ensures tribal interests are properly accounted for,” Smith wrote. 

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