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Emery County moves to pursue ordinance restricting large-scale solar after public outcry over Poison Springs project
Summary
After hours of public comment and presentations, the Emery County Commission voted May 5 to direct staff to draft an ordinance declaring the county effectively "full" for large-scale solar development and to consider formal opposition to a proposed project on SITLA land at Drunkard's Wash.
The Emery County Commission voted May 5 to direct staff to draft an ordinance that would limit future large-scale solar siting in the county after residents, ranchers and conservation groups raised concerns about wildlife habitat and the loss of grazing AUMs tied to a proposed Poison Springs/Drunkard's Wash solar project.
Leon McElprein, a grazing permit holder who addressed the commission during the public-comment period, said he would personally lose grazing AUMs if the project proceeds: "I am the loser here," he said, adding that the allotments are scarce and once lost are gone. Eric Luke, representing Sportsman for Fish and Wildlife, urged the commissioners to oppose the proposal because the planned site…
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