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TWIN FALLS, Idaho – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Idaho Resource Advisory Council’s Lava Ridge Wind Project Subcommittee will meet from 10 a.m. to noon. on Wednesday Jan. 25, 2023, and again on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time) for a facilitated discussion to review the draft Environmental Impact Statement alternatives and to then compile their information and research for a recommendation to the Idaho Resource Advisory Council. Both meetings will be held in-person at the BLM Twin Falls District Office, 2878 Addison Ave. E., Twin Falls, Idaho. There will also be a virtual participation option via the Zoom platform and there will be time allotted both days for public comments.

Complete agendas and Zoom connection information is available on the BLM Lava Ridge Wind Project Subcommittee website at https://on.doi.gov/3GqWdGe.

“The Lava Ridge Wind Project Subcommittee members have worked diligently to gather input from landowners, elected officials and data collection companies near already developed renewable energy projects,” said BLM Twin Falls District Manager Mike Courtney. “We greatly appreciate the time these volunteers are dedicating, and their citizen-based input will help the BLM thoroughly analyze this project.

The 15-member BLM Idaho Resource Advisory Council provides a forum that brings together stakeholders with diverse interests to provide advice and recommendations to the BLM on issues and challenges associated with the Bureau’s multiple use mission. The BLM Idaho Resource Advisory Council formed the Lava Ridge Wind Project Subcommittee to compile information and conduct research on the proposed renewable energy project.

The BLM Shoshone Field Office is soon to release a Draft Environmental Impact Statement that analyzes a proposal by Magic Valley Energy to build the proposed Lava Ridge Wind Project, which is a commercial-scale renewable energy facility of up to 400 turbines generating 1,000 megawatts of electricity on public lands near Twin Falls.

A public comment period is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. on Jan. 25 and 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 8. Depending on the number of people wishing to comment and time available, the amount of time for individual comments may be limited. Written comments may also be submitted before the meeting via email to Idaho RAC Coordinator MJ Byrne at mbyrne@blm.gov.