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Commissioners address landowner concerns over wind‑project road access and easement requests
Summary
County staff explained that Scout Clean Energy has a road‑use agreement to use county roads between Highway 90 and I‑10 but that landowners received additional easement requests from a separate attorney, prompting county staff and commissioners to seek clarification and attend local meetings with residents.
Commissioners and county staff discussed community concerns about a proposed wind‑project access route and easement requests tied to Scout Clean Energy’s work.
County planning and the county manager explained that the commission previously approved a road‑use agreement authorizing Scout Clean Energy to use county roads from Highway 90 to I‑10, including CPAR Road. The manager said Scout prefers to avoid some route constraints and therefore may use an alternative (plan B) that includes CPAR, although the company’s preferred route is off Highway 90 when feasible.
Why it matters: Residents in the White Signal area raised concerns that the project could rely on CPAR Road or private rights‑of‑way; easement requests to landowners can affect property rights and local traffic. Commissioners said they received constituent inquiries and asked staff to clarify the company’s plan and any requests made to private landowners.
County staff said confusion arose after Scout or its agents sought aerial easements that would allow wind‑turbine blade tips to travel over private property while transporting components; those aerial easements were offered with payment proposals for use of the “air space” above private property. Staff said an additional attorney not directly identified by Scout had sent letters asking for easements, and that staff are trying to determine who is representing landowners and why letters were sent. The manager said he would contact Scout’s representative (identified to staff as Bob Karsta) for a written update and that he and planning staff would consider attending a local meeting to answer questions.
Commissioner participants said they were arranging to attend a community meeting in White Signal to hear landowner concerns; one commissioner said he planned to attend a 1:30 p.m. meeting on short notice. County staff reiterated that private landowners retain the right to refuse any easement request and that the county’s road‑use agreement does not change private property rights.
No formal county action was taken at the work session; staff committed to seek written clarification from Scout Clean Energy and to coordinate attendance at community meetings so the county can better understand landowner concerns and attorney outreach.
