The Yakama Nation on Monday asked the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council to overrule its chairwoman and let the tribe ask state biologists how the Horse Heaven wind and solar project would impact wildlife.

A motion filed by the tribe seeks to reopen hearings on the proposed energy project in southeast Washington so that the council can hear directly from Fish and Wildlife biologists James Watson and Jason Fiddora.

Watson and Fiddora warned in separate depositions in July that the project as proposed would be a problem for wildlife, particularly for ferruginous hawks, which are listed as endangered under state law.

EFSEC Chairwoman Kathleen Drew turned down the tribe’s request in mid-September to have Watson and Fiddora testify in front of the council.

Their testimony is unnecessary because Watson and Fidorra are advising EFSEC as it prepares a final report on the project’s environmental impact, according to Drew.

Drew overstepped her authority by unilaterally dismissing the tribe’s request, rather than putting the request to the full council, according to a motion filed by tribal attorney  Shona Voelckers.

The biologists’ testimony would be critical for council members to hear before they decide whether to recommend Gov. Jay Inslee approve the project, according to the tribe’s motion.

EFSEC spokesman Karl Holappa said in an email Tuesday the council had no comment.

Scout Clean Energy has proposed installing up to 244 turbines and more than 6,000 acres of solar panels near the Tri-Cities. It would be the state’s largest renewable energy installation.

EFSEC held eight days of hearings in August as Scout and the project’s opponents — the Yakama Nation, Benton County and citizens group Tri-City C.A.R.E.S. — questioned witnesses about Scout’s plans.

The tribe was not allowed to call Watson and Fidorra as witnesses, though they were interviewed in July by Voelkers and other attorneys.

Watson, Fish and Wildlife’s raptor specialist, said livestock grazing helped ferruginous hawks by exposing rodent prey, but in general it was a species particularly sensitive to human disturbance.

The project could allow other more-adaptable species, such as ravens and great horned owls, to take over hawk territories, he said, according to a transcript of the meeting.

Asked whether the project as currently designed would protect the environment, Watson answered, “Not for ferruginous hawks.”

Scout on Tuesday responded to a request to comment by referring to a memo the company sent EFSEC in early August outlining changes to its proposal.

The changes include eliminating six turbines to remove “approximately 30%” of the turbines within 2 miles of the Coyote Canyon ferruginous hawk territory.

Watson said in his deposition that the department recommended no turbines be within 2 miles of 16 ferruginous hawk territories.