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Residents warn of environmental and grazing impacts from proposed 5,500-acre solar project
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Summary
Public commenters warned the council about a proposed 5,500-acre solar development at Poison Spring Bench that would fence grazing lands and include battery banks; speakers raised concerns about wildlife, grazing loss and lithium-ion battery disposal and urged county intervention.
A long public-comment exchange focused on a proposed 5,500-acre solar project at Poison Spring Bench and the risks associated with on-site battery storage.
A participant (S2) described the project footprint and said fencing would remove winter grazing for deer and cattle and called on the county commission to intervene. S2 warned about battery disposal, asserting that "Only 10% of lithium ion battery is recyclable" and saying the remainder would become toxic waste. Council members and staff agreed the county’s position and permitting authority would be central to whether the project can proceed, and one speaker cautioned against assuming the landowner had a long-term grazing right.
Speakers urged the council to communicate with county officials and local stakeholders; no formal resolution or legal challenge was initiated at the meeting, but councilors encouraged concerned residents to bring the issue to the county commission and to the public-lands advisory bodies. The fire agency also asked for training considerations related to battery-fire response if battery banks are installed.