The Yakama Nation is fighting against a wind farm proposal in the Horse Heaven Hills, which they consider to be traditional use areas that were ceded in the Treaty of 1855. The tribe believes that the land is sacred and that the government’s acceptance of the Treaty was an acknowledgment of the Creator’s law. The Yakama Nation has filed a legal appeal to revoke the wind farm’s permit, while other tribes, like the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation, have negotiated directly with the developer to address concerns.

Jerry Meninick, a former tribal chairman, testified before EFSEC about the importance of the Horse Heaven Hills to the Yakama people. He expressed frustration with the process, feeling that his concerns were not taken seriously and that the hearing was merely a formality. Meninick has a personal connection to the land, as he has conducted hundreds of funerals and views the area as sacred in his religious practice. The Yakama Nation’s opposition to the wind farm has led to legal action, with lawsuits filed by the tribe, Benton County, and Tri Cities CARES.

The Treaty of 1855 formalized the U.S. government’s colonization of Yakama land, but also preserved rights for the tribe to hunt, fish, and gather on their “usual and accustomed” lands. The Yakama Nation believes that the land is still being used and should be protected. While EFSEC emphasizes tribal engagement, the agency struggled to mediate between the Yakama Nation’s concerns and the developer’s plans for the wind farm. The Umatilla Reservation negotiated directly with the developer, leading to a confidential agreement that addressed their concerns about the project.