Tribes join opposition to wind farm process

The call areas were established in March and now make up around 1,800 miles of open ocean, portions of which could eventually contain up to 390 square miles of wind farm turbines if one or more wind farm projects off the Oregon coast area green-lighted by the bureau. Due to the amount of studies, reviews and other processes required after a lease is awarded to an interested wind energy company, industry representatives expect the soonest the projects could be completed would be 2031, past the state’s goal of having 3 gigawatts of offshore power by 2030.

The crux of the tribe’s complaint is that their communication with the bureau has been “one sided,” and they are concerned that development of a wind farm in the outlined areas could affect the tribe’s cultural view sheds and that transmission lines would need to be run through the tribe’s traditional cultural property, physical areas on the coast considered culturally important to the tribe.

“The federal government must engage with the tribe to address our concerns,” Tribal Council Chair Brad Kneaper said in the letter. “BOEM has stated that it worked closely with the tribe, but while there has been engagement with the tribe, this engagement has been a one-way conversation with BOEM providing information to the tribe. 

“BOEM has been non-responsive to addressing our concerns or requests to date. For example, BOEM solicited for the  tribe to provide input on environmental studies, however, BOEM did not invite further conversations with the tribe when we provided study concepts, but we did learn recently that the bureau met with the state of Oregon extensively to identify prior studies for funding,” Kneaper continued.

The tribe sent a letter to the bureau in January asking there be no development in areas that contain cultural features located on submerged landforms, that wind development avoid areas critical to resident and migratory species and important areas for fishing. When the federal agency announced its three call areas in March — one of which has now been eliminated — the tribe said it seemed its concerns were ignored and areas it asked be excluded were not.

“BOEM included these areas anyway without engaging in government-to-government consultation with the tribe,” Kneaper said. “Our comments and resolution reiterate that expectation that BOEM uphold its trust obligation to protect tribal resources and exclude those areas. If BOEM does not, the tribe will need to look at all opportunities to ensure that wind energy development avoid impacts to resources that are important to the tribe.” 

On June 12, the tribal council voted 6-0 to fight development of a wind farm in any area the tribe feels could have a negative impact on tribal resources. A resolution by the council states the tribe remains willing to work with the bureau in “meaningful government-to-government consultation,” but is prepared to take “all necessary action to oppose” the bureau’s actions if it feels it threatens tribal cultural resources.

With the comment period for the call areas over, the bureau will spend the next few months designating specific areas within as sites to lease. After that, the sites will be offered to interested wind companies for bid. The bureau has given no indication on whether it plans to alter its process in light of the mounting opposition.