February 13, 2023
Mr. Kasey Prestwich, Project Manager
Shoshone Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
400 W. F St.
Shoshone, ID 83352
Subject: Lava Ridge Wind Project Comment Period
Dear Mr. Prestwich:
I am writing to you on behalf of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks (Coalition). Our membership is comprised of over 2,300 National Park Service (NPS) retirees, former and current employees, and NPS volunteers, who collectively represent more than 45,000 years of national park management and stewardship experience. The Coalition studies, educates, speaks, and acts for the preservation of America’s National Park System. Our membership includes former NPS directors, regional directors, superintendents, resource specialists, rangers, maintenance and administrative staff, and a full array of other former employees, volunteers, and supporters
We request that the Bureau of Land Management extend the public comment period for the Lava Ridge Wind Project by 30 days. This would give the public a total of 90 days to review and comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), a document that is well over 1,500 pages long including attachments. Additionally, the DEIS fails to consider recent proposals that the project area be considered a Traditional Cultural Property (TCP) and an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), which further complicates the comment process. Because of the cultural significance of the landscape surrounding the Minidoka War Relocation Center and the overall complexity of the project, additional time is needed to reasonably review and comment on the proposal.
Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Michael B. Murray
Chair of the Executive Council
Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks
cc:
Shannon Estenoz, Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
Tracy Stone-Manning, Director, Bureau of Land Management
Charles F. Sams III, Director, National Park Service