Didn't we already save the Steens from wind farms?

Developers are proposing to build industrial-scale wind farms on Steens Mountain. That's not just a bad idea, it's contrary to law.

Ten years ago Congress protected Steens Mountain to, in essence, keep it the way it is. In collaboration with ranchers and conservationists, Oregon's congressional delegation teamed up with then Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt and then-Gov. John Kitzhaber to secure passage of the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act of 2000, so Steens Mountain would remain unspoiled and future generations could enjoy its wide-open spaces forever.

Disregarding the Steens Act, wind developers have recently enticed some private landowners on Steens who will profit by the new "green gold rush" to build new wind farms, similar to the growing forest of wind towers along Interstate 84.

Yes, Steens Mountain is windy. And yes, renewable energy is critically needed. But Steens Mountain is not the only place in Oregon one can turn a profit generating wind power.

By law, Oregon's Energy Facility Siting Council must approve new major energy projects in the state, including large-scale wind farms. The state's rules list certain protected areas, like Crater Lake National Park, where energy development is off limits, and conservation groups recently petitioned the council to update its list to include Steens Mountain.

Excluding energy development from Steens Mountain is consistent with the spirit and intent of the Steens Act of 2000. Large-scale commercial wind development in the area would be in sharp contrast to the stated purpose of the Steens Act, which includes protecting the undeveloped nature of both public and private lands on Steens Mountain.

In fact, development of private lands was a key issue in negotiations over the Steens Act. Kitzhaber's position was protection of private lands was key to garnering the state's support. As The Oregonian reported, one goal of the Steens legislation was that "only development on private land that fits the current character and traditional uses of the area would be allowed." Peter Green, Kitzhaber's public lands adviser at the time, said "the governor, and I think most Oregonians, believe the real threat to Steens Mountain was the development of trophy homes, resorts and commercial developments."

In a news conference with Interior Secretary Babbitt, Kitzhaber said, "The goal for Steens Mountain is to keep it that way -- to protect its ecological, social and economic integrity." In 2000, no one contemplated commercial wind farms on Steens. The Act expressly prohibited the only pending energy development at the time (geothermal).

While the Steens Act was careful not to impinge on the rights of private landowners, all agreed the goal was seamless management across public and private lands while maintaining historic and traditional uses of the land. Large-scale wind farms on Steens are neither historic nor traditional. Nor is the related new transmission line that would be required to cross Steens Mountain, skirting the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

The Energy Facility Siting Council should uphold the "keep it the way it is" policy on Steens Mountain by using its authority to keep wind farms off the Steens. Wind energy developers are welcome in Oregon, but not on the crown jewel of Oregon's high desert.

In 2000, Bill Marlett was executive director of the Oregon Natural Desert Association, Jill Workman represented the Sierra Club and Andy Kerr was a consultant to The Wilderness Society. All helped enact into law the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Act.