Representative Mike Simpson

Congressman Simpson's Weekly Recap

April 7, 2023

Simpson Questions BLM Director Stone-Manning on Lava Ridge Proposal During FY24 Budget Hearing

Last week I questioned Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Tracy Stone-Manning in a hearing on the Fiscal Year 2024 budget requests for the BLM, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park Service.

Chief among the questions I asked Director Stone-Manning was related to the proposed Lava Ridge Wind Project on public lands in Magic Valley, Idaho, and if the pressure to increase renewable energy trumps the impacts to species and cultural sites. I, along with the Idaho Congressional Delegation, and Idaho Governor Brad Little and Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke have continually raised concerns about this proposal and requested an extension of public comment period for the Lava Ridge Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

After raising questions related to the project’s effects on birds of prey and other avian populations including sage grouse, as well the project’s effects on livestock forage and active grazing permits, I asked Director Stone-Manning for a rough timeline for a decision to be made on the large-scale wind and solar projects proposed on BLM land.

Director Stone-Manning: “At Lava Ridge, we are currently right in the middle of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. We extended the comment period into April, as you know, and it depends on the amount of comments that we get and the substance of those comments, for how long it’s going to take us to really, properly incorporate them into our final, but I expect something by this fall or this winter.”

Watch the full exchange from the hearing below.

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Gold Star Spouses Day

On Gold Star Spouses Day, we must recognize the military families of service members who gave their lives serving our country. Let us also honor the great sacrifice these brave individuals have offered in the defense of freedom.

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Ag Immigration Reform

What agriculture needs is a stable, reliable workforce. Ag immigration reform is the No. 1 priority I have over the next two years.

I was glad to visit with Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry (IACI), American Business Immigration Coalition, the Idaho Farm Bureau and Idaho Dairymen Association, and many others to discuss this important issue.

Read more about this roundtable discussion HERE.

Farm Workforce Modernization Act

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This Week in Idaho

I had the opportunity to tour the Micron Center for Materials Research on Boise State University’s campus.

This state of the art facility is preparing students to meet industry needs by creating a technically fluent workforce in a way that no other university can.

Seeing the facility and its equipment firsthand, I am proud to have supported defense appropriations funding to help establish the Center. Students educated here will take part in research not done anywhere else, which will lead to cutting-edge technology for our country.

The Idaho State Archives are home to many important documents, including original drafts of the Idaho Constitution and architectural drawings of the State Capitol Building.

Thank you to the Idaho State Historical Society for allowing me to visit, and for preserving these important relics.