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A controversial Idaho wind farm was OK’d last month: Now it’s on hold

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A controversial Idaho wind farm was OK’d last month: Now it’s on hold


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President Donald Trump signed dozens of executive orders shortly after his inauguration, including one that rolled back the recent approval of a controversial wind farm in south-central Idaho.

Trump signed a temporary order that prompted an immediate review of federal wind leasing and permitting regulations, and specifically halted any activity on the Lava Ridge Wind Project north of Twin Falls. The order said the project, which the Bureau of Land Management approved in December after more than three years of discussion and analysis, “is allegedly contrary to the public interest and suffers from legal deficiencies.”

The order directed the new Interior secretary to review the final BLM analysis and conduct any additional review or environmental impact studies as needed. Trump’s pick for that post, former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, has not yet been confirmed.

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The Lava Ridge project, which proposed building as many as 230 wind turbines up to 660 feet tall to provide clean energy, was proposed by Magic Valley Energy. The company said the project could power half a million homes and create jobs for Idaho residents. Magic Valley Energy has also proposed a wind farm on federal land southwest of Twin Falls. That project, Salmon Falls, is still in early stages.

The Idaho Statesman reached out to Magic Valley Energy for comment on the executive order.

The project was criticized by multiple groups and politicians. Perhaps the most outspoken was the Friends of Minidoka, a nonprofit focused on the preservation of the Minidoka National Historic Site, which was an internment camp for imprisoned Japanese Americans during World War II.

The group said the wind turbines—which would be visible from the historic site northeast of Twin Falls—disturbed the historic view-shed and made it impossible for visitors to understand the true isolation of the camp. In a statement Tuesday, Friends of Minidoka Executive Director Robyn Achilles told the Statesman the group is “pleased” that the project is on hold.

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“The proposed Lava Ridge wind development should be stopped and the area outside of Minidoka should be protected from future energy development that harms the viewshed of the park,” Achilles said.

Lava Ridge also drew criticism from local politicians in Twin Falls and Jerome, as well as ranchers with existing grazing leases on the proposed wind farm site. Idaho’s congressional delegation, all Republicans, were also outspoken critics.

In a statement, Idaho Sen. Jim Risch’s office said the longtime lawmaker co-wrote the executive order with the Trump administration.

“I made a promise to Idahoans that I would not rest until the Lava Ridge Wind Project was terminated. On day one, President Donald Trump took action to keep that promise,” Risch said in a news release.

Sen. Mike Crapo, as well as Reps. Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, also applauded the executive order.

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“The Lava Ridge Wind Project is unwelcome and has zero place in our state,” Simpson said in a statement.

Not all Idahoans opposed the project. The Idaho Conservation League, a longtime environmental advocacy group, backed the project last year after the BLM opted for a scaled-down version of the wind farm amid complaints. Adrian Gallo, the group’s climate program manager, said in a report that Lava Ridge “is not perfect, but it is necessary.”

2025 The Idaho Statesman. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Citation:
A controversial Idaho wind farm was OK’d last month: Now it’s on hold (2025, January 22)
retrieved 22 January 2025
from https://techxplore.com/news/2025-01-controversial-idaho-farm-okd-month.html

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Idaho

When and Where is Baby Animal Days Happening Near Southern Idaho?

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When and Where is Baby Animal Days Happening Near Southern Idaho?


Many people are animal lovers, especially in Idaho. It is rare to find someone in the Magic Valley who doesn’t have a dog, isn’t at least feeding a stray cat, or doesn’t have a horse, goat, chicken, cow, or pig. It seems like everyone has pets in the Gem State, and when it comes to animals in the area, most want to help and take care of them. When it comes to having a pet, the most enjoyable time is when they are babies, but sadly, this time doesn’t last long enough. Puppies and kittens grow up too fast, and you blink and miss it and your baby pig or goat is fully grown. This spring you have the chance to be surrounded by baby animals and interact with some of the cutest creatures on the planet.

Baby Animal Days in Utah

If you enjoy adorable baby animals, then make sure to make the short drive down to Northern Utah and enjoy Baby Animal Days when it happens the first and second week of April. It will be taking place at the American West Heritage Center, located at 4025 HWY 89-91 in Wellsville, Utah. The first week will be April 2 through April 5 and the second week will be April 10 through April 12. The cost is $12 per guest, and each week will offer something a little bit different.

What is Baby Animal Days in Utah?

Which week you attend Baby Animal Days will dictate what animals you will see and what you can do. Many animals will be there both weeks, such as piglets, ducks, chicks, turtles, bunnies, and more. Both weeks will offer train rides, pony rides, and bison tours. The first week will offer a chance to see baby bears, while the second weekend will offer exotic animals. Depending on what works with your schedule, or which animals you rather see and potentially interact with, may determine which weekend you would prefer to go. If you get hungry while seeing all the cuteness, concessions will be open.

For more on Baby Animal Days or to get your tickets, make sure to click the link above. Make sure to check the calendar on what is offered during what week, and plan accordingly so you are not surprised that a certain animal is not available when you go. If you love adorable baby animals, this is an event you are not going to want to miss, and while a little bit of a drive, when you see those cute baby faces, it’ll be worth it.

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Animals You Can Legally Own In Idaho

Gallery Credit: Chris Cruise

3 Idaho Animals You Can Milk and 13 Animals That You Shouldn’t

Let’s take a look at the three animals Idaho law says you can milk and thirteen animals that you should never milk…

Gallery Credit: Chris Cardenas





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Idaho Fish and Game highlights quality Steelhead numbers on the Salmon this Spring

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Idaho Fish and Game highlights quality Steelhead numbers on the Salmon this Spring


SALMON, Idaho — An early spring report from Idaho Fish and Game shows that Steelhead fishing in the Upper Salmon River watershed is ramping up, with quality catch numbers reported these past two weeks of March.

Idaho Steelhead numbers reach a seven-year high along the Salmon River

Following the onset of warmer, spring-like temps in the mountains of central Idaho, fishing activity increased significantly, especially near Ellis, Idaho, and upstream of the East Fork. According to angler reports, “catch rates were good to excellent.”

River conditions are favorable, with clear visibility and stable flows.

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Water temperatures are moving upward but remain frigid near Stanley, where the water is in the 30s to the mid-40s. Expect those temps to rise slightly as runoff begins.

Idaho Fish and Game

Idaho Fish and Game also noted an increase in PIT-tagged steelhead detected near Salmon, Idaho. Hatchery operations are also kicking off their spawning operations. As of March 21, the Pahsimeroi Hatchery had trapped 527 adipose-clipped steelhead, and the Sawtooth Fish Hatchery trapped about 390 adult steelhead beginning March 24.





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Idaho donations through Love, Idaho support California wildfire victims

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Idaho donations through Love, Idaho support California wildfire victims


NAMPA, Idaho — To support Southern California homeowners still recovering from the devastating wildfires that plagued the state back in January, Nate Morris is working tirelessly to continue delivering crucial donations such as clothing, diapers, and even dog treats as part of the Love, Idaho charity campaign.

“The reception was very warm, and they were thankful. They thought it was amazing that the ‘State of Idaho’ would do something like this,” said Morris, the owner of Resto Clean, of the charitable effort. The donations were sent two months after the fires had been contained, thanks to a partnership with the LA Dream Center in Los Angeles.

Sid’s Garage is joining the mission to support those impacted by the Southern California Wildfires

Kelli Bradley, the executive director of programs at LA Dream Center, highlighted the ongoing challenges victims face as they begin the rebuilding process.

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“You’re looking at tens of thousands of people [who were] impacted by this [disaster]. Every story is just gut-wrenching,” explained Bradley. “Many of [the victims] not only lost their homes, but their kids lost their schools.”

Significant cleanup efforts are projected to last months if not years. “We’ve been doing ash-outs every day in the community— meaning that we’re going to the burned properties at the request of homeowners and helping them sift through the ashes to try to find anything of value or sentiment that they might be looking for,” Bradley said.

Nate Morris shared photos of ash and debris infiltrating homes that were not directly affected by the flames. In April, the LA Dream Center will host an event focusing on recovery and rebuilding, with Morris and his team from Resto Clean participating. “They want us to come down and do a smoke and ash cleanup class for them,” Morris added.

Looking ahead to the future of Love, Idaho, Nate Morris is optimistic. “We’ve already got a couple of other businesses that would like to use the branding and the name, and I’m all about it. I think they can still funnel the proceeds through the Grace Center and use it for whatever they would like to use it for,” Morris says.

This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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