At a public comment session before the Millard County Commission, residents debated a proposed Creekstone solar project that opponents say would disrupt grazing and supporters say could deliver economic benefits.
Roger Oskatort, who said he holds grazing permits on land included in the project footprint, warned that Phase 1 would remove corrals and a local watering source and "be gone" if the proposal moves forward. Oskatort said construction, equipment movement and increased wind and sand could harm grazing operations and the "quality of life in Delta, Oak City" and surrounding communities.
Not all commenters opposed the plan. A speaker identified in the transcript as "Try 1 Larson" (transcription uncertain) urged the commission to consider the financial benefits, comparing the proposal to past local power-plant investments and recommending a yes vote. Kevin Kessler, who introduced himself as "a small business owner in the solar maintenance industry," said he hopes local firms will be considered for work if the project proceeds and argued economic opportunities could help households avoid selling land under financial pressure.
Shimp Callister, identified in the transcript as the mayor of Oak City, said a recent Oak City planning survey found 93.8% of respondents agreed agriculture should remain a priority. Callister said the town and surrounding residents value a rural, farming character and asked that planners consider grazers and local agricultural priorities when evaluating the proposed zone change and early phases.
One public commenter raised concerns about the overall scale and history of the proposal, citing earlier project descriptions of 1,100 acres and references to larger numbers as high as "9,000 to 30,000 acres" or roughly "14 square miles." That speaker also mentioned ongoing litigation involving IPP and the Sierra Club as a complicating factor.
No formal motions or votes are recorded in the provided transcript. The comments focused on land-use tradeoffs: possible loss of grazing infrastructure and viewsheds versus projected economic gains and job opportunities. Speakers raised specific local concerns — corrals and watering sources that may be lost, potential increases in wind-blown sand after construction, and questions about project scope — and also urged commissioners to consider survey results and local business participation.
Next steps were not stated in the provided segments. The meeting record included several public comments on the matter but no formal action in the supplied transcript.