(Last updated on Saturday, April 9, 2022) – On February 11, 2022, the Elmore County Commissioners granted Cat Creek Energy a new two-year extension to begin construction on their massive energy project in the mountains northeast of Mountain Home, Idaho. This was both a mistake and outside the realm of their responsibilities in our opinion. In short, we believe the development agreement only allows an extension to be granted if the project is likely to be operational in two years. In fact, the project has barely begun the FERC approval process, has no water rights nor environmental impact report. The list is long but one thing we know is that Cat Creek Energy has consistently failed to meet most deadlines.
The S Bar Ranch has filed the following Request for Reconsideration motion with the county commissioners. A reconsideration public hearing with the county commissioners will be held on Friday, April 15, 2022, at 1:30 pm in the Elmore County Courthouse in Mountain Home. Prior to that public hearing, concerned citizens may file written comments regarding the proposed new extension until Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Comments will also be accepted at the Friday, April 15 hearing.
We hope you will let your Elmore County Commissioners know your thoughts and concerns about this extension.
Land Use and Building Department
520 East 2nd South Street
Mountain Home, ID 83647
Phone: (208) 587-2142 ext 1256
Fax: (206) 587-2120
www.elmorecounty.org
Date: March 23, 2022
To: Whom It May Concern
Subject: Notice of Public Hearing
Applicants: Merlyn W. Clark for S Bar Ranch LLC
Case #: Reconsideration of EOA-2022-01
Proposal: S. Bar Ranch appeals to the Elmore County Board of County Commissioners for reconsideration of Extension of Approval granted to CUP-2015-03, CUP-2015-04, CUP-2015-05, CUP-2015-06, and CUP-2015-07.
A public hearing will be held before the Elmore County Board of County
Commissioners (the “Board”) on Friday, April 15, 2022, at the hour of 1:30 p.m.
in the Elmore County Courthouse, downstairs in the Commissioner’s room, 150
South 4th East, Mountain Home, ID 83647, for reconsideration of the extension
of approvals granted to Cat Creek Energy, LLC Conditional Use Permits (CUP-
2015-03, CUP-2015-04, CUP-2015-05, CUP-2015-06, and CUP-2015-07).
The Board issued its Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order on
February 11, 2022 (following a public hearing on February 4, 2022) for granting
a one-time two-year time extension for the five CUPs as provided for in the
Development Agreement signed on February 9, 2018. S Bar Ranch, LLC, filed a
timely request for the Board to reconsider its Findings of Fact, Conclusions of
Law, and Order and rescind the order for the approval of time extension(s) on
the CUP(s). The reconsideration request is reviewed by the Land Use and
Building Department under Elmore County Code 7-3-12. The Director has
conferred with the Board and the Board has granted a reconsideration hearing.
Please review the request and provide your written comments to the
Elmore County Land Use and Building Department, 520 East 2nd South Street,
Mountain Home, ID, 83647, by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2022, so your
comments are included in staff report. All interested persons shall be heard at
said hearing and the public is welcome and invited to submit testimony.
Testimony will be limited to reconsideration of extension(s) of the CUP(s).
The Elmore County Board of Commissioners is responsible for ensuring
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Any person
needing special accommodations to participate in the public hearing should
contact the Elmore County ADA Coordinator, Kacey Ramsauer, 24 hours prior to
the Public Hearing at 208-587-2142 ext. 1254, or email ADA@elmorecountv.org.
Sincerely,
~~ Signed ~~
Mitra Mehta-Cooper, Director
Originally published on April 3, 2022
Thanks,
A Concerned Group of Idaho Residents!