Calls for protection of existing uses and additional community outreach

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today wrote Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Tracy Stone-Manning voicing concerns with the agency’s one-size-fits-all rule for solar development that could shut out established multiple-uses and the drastic effect the rule will have on communities if fully implemented. U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) joined Risch in sending the letter.

“We have repeatedly learned one-size-fits-all rules do not work for ecologically and geographically diverse western landscapes. Any generic federal action, such as the Updated Western Solar Plan, that causes management to digress from tailored, local strategies could prove detrimental to our energy security, wildfire resilience, resource management, and wildlife habitats,” wrote the senators. “ . . . Solar projects must be carefully scoped so as not to interfere with other established multiple uses . . . [W]e remain concerned that these are lands that many already stake their livelihoods on through other multiple uses. Some uses, such as grazing, are not just disrupted, but wholly shut out of public land as solar becomes more prevalent.”

“[W]e strongly urge you to provide additional community outreach and listening session opportunities regarding this plan, especially in communities within the 10-mile preferred transmission access zone and lands available for application under the preferred alternative. Additionally, we request you reopen and extend the comment period to allow for more public engagement in affected communities.,” they continued.

The full letter is available here.?

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