East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, along with U.S. Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher (all R-Idaho), have called on the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) to terminate its Section 106 consultation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regarding the Lava Ridge Wind Energy Project. This follows a similar decision last month by the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office to forgo consultation.

“Unfortunately, the views of these stakeholders—Minidoka survivors, descendants, and allies, along with the vast majority of Idahoans—have been largely disregarded. Maintaining the sanctity of Minidoka is not a matter that can be mitigated elsewhere. If constructed, the Lava Ridge project would irreparably alter this site,” wrote the delegation. “Given these concerns, we request that ACHP terminate its consultation on the development of a Section 106 agreement with the BLM. Further, we request you use all mechanisms available to prevent a Record of Decision from being published by the BLM until the ACHP has had ample opportunity to evaluate, respond to, and address the concerns of constructing such a project near the Minidoka National Historic Site.”

Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act mandates federal agencies to consider how their actions or projects might affect historic properties. A Section 106 agreement details how adverse effects on these properties will be mitigated, treated, or avoided.

The full letter can be read here.