The Salmon Falls and Lava Ridge projects benefit no one except the politicians that are receiving money for trying to push this through and southern California and Nevada that gets the power generated.
The power doesn't stay in Idaho. Literally it will only create 10s of jobs. It diminishes grazing that already the BLM and Forest Service has been cutting back for years. In turn creating fire fuel in the hot summer months. Try fighting a wild land fire amongst 1000 ft tall pinwheels.
Above someone mentioned cheat grass, yes there is a lot of cheat grass along with other native grasses. Cattle can do very well on cheat grass if grazed at the correct time and it's been proven in it reduces fire fuel load.
With reduced grazing, also reduces the amount of water hauled in by ranchers to water cattle this also reduces water for wild life that uses those tanks. Just because the land isn't turned into usable farm land it doesn't mean it doesn't create income or provide a life for others, wildlife included. The sage grouse being "endangered", follow cattle from allotment to allotment.
There has been a big local push back and voices have been heard. Last Thursday Twin Falls County commissioners opposed the Salmon Falls project. Lincoln County commissioners are expected to do the same.
