TLG led an effort to gather valuable insight from the Japanese-American community connected to the Minidoka World War II Incarceration historic site, operated by the National Park Service, in Idaho. Input gathered informed how the BLM and this community work together throughout the EIS to preserve the history of the site, as it relates to the proposed Lava Ridge Wind Project.

Building on this effort, a landscape-scale strategy will be developed by BLM-Idaho in collaboration with its land management partners and the public to assist applicants as they propose renewable energy projects. In this way, proposals can be focused on areas that are more viable, where necessary energy production resources are available and have the least amount of resource conflicts. In doing so, applicants will have the tools necessary to propose more environmentally sound projects, which will increase the efficiency of the application process. To assist internal and external audiences in understanding how the BLM processes renewable energy applications, identify areas with resource conflicts for consideration by applicants, and inform the public how they can participate in the analysis, TLG designed a series of community meetings and facilitated them in Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Boise and online, designed to enhance understanding and correct misinformation regarding the BLM’s responsibilities as a federal multiple-use land manager. The goal of this facilitated effort is to ensure that the renewable energy application process is communicated consistently to both internal and external stakeholders and gather valuable public input about resource values and landscape concerns, for future applicants’ consideration.