Washington's solar projects: a threat to tribal heritage?

The Badger Mountain solar project highlights significant gaps in Washington's permitting system, raising concerns among tribal nations about the preservation of their cultural heritage.

B. “Toastie” Oaster reports for HIgh Country News in partnership with ProPublica.

In short:

The Badger Mountain solar project in Washington state has exposed serious flaws in the state's system for protecting tribal cultural resources.
State archaeologist Sara Palmer discovered numerous significant sites of archaeological and cultural importance overlooked in developer-conducted surveys.
Tribal nations, including the Colville and Yakama, have voiced strong opposition, citing the project's potential to damage vital cultural and natural resources.

Key quote:

"This is one of the last places where our roots aren’t being sprayed by anybody or they’re not grazed over by animals. It’s our food cache, and we don’t want it ruined."

— Andy Joseph Jr., Colville Tribal Business Council

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Washington's solar projects: a threat to tribal heritage?

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