JACL Disappointed with Final BLM Approval of Lava Ridge Wind Project

December 18, 2024

For Immediate Release

Seia Watanabe, VP Public Affairs, swatanabe@jacl.org

Matthew Weisbly, Education Programs/Comms Manager, mweisbly@jacl.org

On December 5th, 2024, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the Record of Decision (ROD) on the Lava Wind Ridge Project. The JACL is disappointed with the BLM’s decision to go forward with the massive Lava Ridge Wind project which will impact the viewshed of the Minidoka National Historic Site. We appreciate that changes were made from the original proposal, including reducing the number of wind turbines from over 400 to 231, reducing the allowable size of the turbines, and extending the distance of the closest turbines to nine miles. However, despite these measures and with very little change from the Final Environmental Impact Study report, a significant number of turbines will remain in the viewshed of the Minidoka National Historic Site.

Although this decision is disheartening, we appreciate that a provision has been included in the ROD to prevent the further development of wind and solar farms on over 200,000 acres of land surrounding Minidoka. We recognize that this will protect Minidoka from the development of similar projects that might further encroach on the site.

We support the addition of mitigation measures to enhance education about the Minidoka National Historic Site and expand its capacity to share the history of injustices endured there.

The Lava Ridge Wind Project will forever tarnish the sanctity of the land where so many were denied justice. We call on the Bureau of Land Management to work with the Japanese American community, particularly the Friends of Minidoka and the Minidoka Pilgrimage Planning Committee, to ensure that the implementation of the Lava Ridge Wind Project minimizes harm to Minidoka. We also call for the adoption of appropriate mitigation measures to be employed to further establish the Minidoka National Historic Site as a center for public education and national healing from the trauma of the Japanese American incarceration.

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The Japanese American Citizens League is a national organization whose ongoing mission is to secure and maintain the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all others who are victimized by injustice and bigotry. The leaders and members of the JACL also work to promote cultural, educational, and social values and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American community.