U.S. Senator Jim Risch has voiced strong opposition to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) decision to move forward with the Lava Ridge Wind Energy Project. In a statement, Risch criticized the Biden administration for its handling of the project, which he claims disregards public opinion and threatens historical sites in Southern Idaho.
“Today’s decision on Lava Ridge flies in the face of the people of Idaho," said Risch. "Despite the outcry from Idahoans and the broader Japanese American community, the Biden-Harris White House refuses to listen."
Risch has been actively working against this project by leading legislative efforts aimed at preventing its implementation. The proposed wind energy project involves constructing numerous turbines over nearly 150,000 acres of public land in Southern Idaho.
In September, members of Idaho's delegation appealed to the Department of Interior to consider a “No-Action Alternative” for this project. Their appeal came after both state and national historic preservation bodies decided to end consultations with BLM regarding potential impacts on historic sites.
The Lava Ridge project is expected to affect views from Minidoka National Historic Site, an area where over 13,000 Japanese Americans were detained during World War II. The proposal has met significant opposition from various groups including state legislators, local officials, and members of the Japanese American community.
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