BY KAREN BOSSICK
Learn about the effort to stop Lava Ridge Wind, a proposed wind power project in Jerome, Lincoln and Minidoka counties, on Thursday.
Janet Keegan, a board member for Friends of Minidoka, and John Arkoosh, whose family has a ranch near Shoshone, will discuss their concerns at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at Ketchum’s Community Library.
Lava Ridge Wind is proposed by Magic Valley Energy, LLC. The 400-turbine project would be located on 76,000 acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Idaho Department of Lands. The idea, they say, is to transition the nation away from fossil fuels and mitigate the effects of climate change.
The final Environmental Impact Statement is due this spring for public comment, with a record of decision on the project expected this summer.
Stakeholders called Stop Lava Ridge have been expressing their concerns about the project. They point out that the project would disturb the Minidoka National Historic Site where Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II. They’re also concerned that it would lead to the loss of grazing land and impact water, recreation and wildlife in the area.
To attend in person, save a seat at https://thecommunitylibrary.libcal.com/event/12338228.