Avangrid Renewables has announced a pause in permitting activities for its planned industrial-scale solar panel array on Badger Mountain, following significant concerns raised by Indigenous tribes and private landowners about potential impacts to cultural and archaeological sites.
The decision comes after an investigation by High Country News and ProPublica revealed that a land survey funded by Avangrid had failed to identify more than a dozen sites of archaeological or cultural significance on the public parcel included in the project area. This survey is a prerequisite for state approval before construction can commence.
In a letter dated June 27 to the state agency responsible for project approval, Avangrid stated it would pause project planning for two to three months to reassess public feedback, particularly from affected tribal nations and landowners. “We are committed to engaging with all stakeholders to ensure we address their concerns appropriately,” the letter indicated.
The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, whose members are appointed by the governor, had previously mandated a redo of the cultural resources survey due to objections from tribal nations and state agencies. This requirement highlights the growing emphasis on the protection of Indigenous rights and cultural heritage in the face of development projects.
A member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, expressed ongoing concerns about the project, which has faced opposition from the tribe for several years. In May 2023, the tribes officially registered their opposition, citing the mountain’s importance for foods, medicines, archaeological heritage sites, and other cultural resources. They were later joined by the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, which also have ancestral claims to the land.
Both tribal nations assert their rights to access and utilize public lands within their ancestral territory, which encompasses the state-owned parcel on Badger Mountain. The pause in permitting activities allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of the project’s potential impact on these vital cultural sites.
