STOP LAVA RIDGE
Magic Valley Energy has stated in their recent propaganda that they will improve our operations and add value to them. Nothing could be further from the truth.
In their recent full page ad Magic Valley Energy states, “Through sustainable partnerships, investments in rangeland improvements, and opportunities to increase ranchers' AUMs, we're committed to improving local ranchers' operations and ensuring our presence brings actual value to the ranching community.”
In reality, there is no partnership with any rancher, other than possibly Roy Prescott. The other seven family ranching entities that use the Star Lake and Camp One allotments (where the vast majority of the project is sited) have vehemently opposed the Lava Ridge project from the beginning of the process. We have engaged legal counsel at great expense to participate in the process and ultimately try to stop it.
Furthermore, MVE claims “OUR CERTIFIED RANGELAND CONSULTANT HAS BEEN WORKING WITH LOCAL LANDOWNERS AND GRAZING PERMITTEES.” This is a laughable claim. We have not spoken to their rangeland consultant in well over a year. In that time we told them several times that we had no interest in speaking to him ever again. The ad includes an image of some guy with a big grin and a cowboy hat. I assume this is to make you think that’s a local rancher, fraternizing with the enemy. I have asked several actual local ranchers who that guy is, and no one seems to know. I kind of doubt that Magic Valley Energy has any idea as to his identity either.
MVE has stated in their recent propaganda that they will improve our operations and add value to them. Nothing could be further from the truth. The truth is that Star Lake cattle association has spent the last 60 years making improvements to the land. We have drilled five wells, installed over 100 miles of pipeline and over 50 troughs. Through seeding and fencing projects we have made the Star Lake allotment one of the best in southern Idaho. All the aforementioned infrastructure and improvements are maintained by the permittees and benefit both the ranching operations and wildlife. The permittees are members of and actively participate in the Notch Butte Rangeland Fire Protection Association. MVE’s presence will not add any value to our ranching operations, and in fact, will be economically devastating to us.
MVE being forced by a contract with the BLM to repair and replace some of the infrastructure they destroy with their construction activities does not make them our partners. No matter how MVE spins it there will not be a good outcome for the ranchers that hold grazing permits within the project area. The economic hardships caused by Lava Ridge and the many other wind and solar projects planned for our area will put many ranchers out of feed and ultimately out of business.
MVE will not leave it better than they found it. Don’t be fooled by their rhetoric and propaganda. In their wake they will leave irreparable scars on our landscape, distracting and annoying viewsheds, and night time sky busy with flashing red lights. Magic Valley Energy you have not voluntarily adjusted anything. If you were listening to the people of Idaho, you would’ve gone away by now. – John Arkoosh
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AoGLNG9AC/
