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Benton City council adopts proclamation opposing Horse Heaven Hills wind project
Summary
Benton City Council on Feb. 3 approved a proclamation opposing the proposed Horse Heaven Hills wind power project, citing concerns about wildlife, visual impacts, cultural resources, property values and aviation safety raised by local advocates.
Benton City Council on Feb. 3 approved a proclamation formally opposing the proposed Horse Heaven Hills wind power project.
The proclamation, read aloud by a council member, said local advocates — including nonprofit Tri Cities Cares — raised “substantial concerns regarding the project's impacts on wildlife habitat, including threats to raptors and migration corridors,” and warned of potential harm to cultural resources, regional property values and aviation safety. The text stated the project would extend roughly 24 miles along the Horse Heaven Hills and described turbines that, the proclamation said, could reach heights that would dominate the skyline as viewed from Benton City.
Mayor Lehi Burton moved to approve the proclamation; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. No formal roll‑call tally was read into the record during the discussion.
The proclamation does not itself block or modify any permit or state process; it is a local expression of opposition. Council members cited community concerns and advocacy by local groups as the basis for the measure.
The council proceeded with other business after the approval.
