At Save the Palouse, we have been working tirelessly to protect one of the world’s most unique and beatifical landscapes. Today, we bring you alarming news that directly threatens the future of our community. For the first time, we are revealing in detail that Whitman County Commissioners Michael Largent, Art Swannack, and Tom Handy along with County Planner Alan Thomson have spent tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars to hire Van Ness Feldman LLP—a law firm notorious for championing industrial development and large-scale wind projects. The contracted expenses are projected to exceed $700,000. This decision directly undermines the will of the very residents they were elected to serve.
Hidden Alliance
Attorneys Erin Anderson and Jay Derr from the firm have been hired to assist with the controversial Harvest Hills Wind project. Their extensive backgrounds in facilitating industrial projects suggest they may be poised to advocate aggressively for the wind farm’s approval, regardless of community opposition.
Whitman County Prosecuting Attorney Denis P. Tracy has appointed Van Ness Feldman attorneys Jay P. Derr and Erin L. Anderson as Special Deputy Prosecuting Attorneys for Whitman County. Their mandate? To represent Whitman County in matters related to the siting and permitting of the controversial Harvest Hills Wind Farm project. This appointment, detailed in official documents dated April of 2024, grants them “full power and authority necessary to complete the duties” associated with advancing this industrial endeavor.
The appointment letter explicitly states that Derr and Anderson are authorized to represent the county “in any matters related to the siting and permitting of the proposed Harvest Hills Wind Farm project, including any appeals thereof.” Moreover, they are empowered to “assign other attorneys from within their firm” to assist as necessary. This broad scope suggests a concerted effort to push the project forward, potentially at the expense of thorough public scrutiny and environmental consideration.



Appointment of Special Deputy
A Community Ignored
Over 3,000 Whitman County residents—a significant portion of our community—have signed petitions opposing the Harvest Hills Wind project. The voice of our supporters in Whitman County and around the globe has been deafening, yet our county commissioners have responded with indifference to our requests for commonsense compromises and controls. These measures are not radical; they are standard practices in counties across Washington State to protect local environments and communities.
Taxpayer Dollars Used Against Us


It’s disheartening to learn that our hard-earned taxpayer dollars are being used to hire a law firm that appears intent on fighting against us—the county’s own residents. The county commission has chosen to side with corporate interests over the voices of thousands of constituents.
This substantial expenditure – potentially more than $700,000 not only undermines public trust but also highlights a disconnect between our leaders and the community they serve. At a time when many are calling for greater transparency and accountability, the decision to use public funds to potentially oppose the will of the people is a stark reminder of the need for active civic engagement.
The fact that portions of these funds may be reimbursed by Harvest Hills upon completion of the project only increases concern with the legal cost’s massive impact to the county budget. This arrangement raises serious questions about conflicts of interest and erodes public confidence in our county’s decision-making. How can we trust our leaders to act impartially when their financial agreements may be tied to the success of a project that most residents vigorously oppose?
An Outlier in Washington State
Whitman County now stands as one of the few counties in the entire state of Washington not aligning with its residents on this issue. Other counties have taken proactive steps to ensure that industrial developments do not compromise their communities’ environmental integrity and quality of life. Our county’s failure to adopt similar protections raises serious concerns about the priorities of our local leadership.
The Threat to Kamiak Butte
We cannot overstate the permanent damage the Harvest Hills Wind project poses to Kamiak Butte—a landmark that embodies the spirit and unique beauty of the Palouse. The proposed industrialization threatens not only the ecosystem but also the cultural and historical fabric that binds our community together.
Our Call to Action
We at Save the Palouse refuse to stand by while our community’s interests are sidelined. The revelation of the county’s alliance with Van Ness Feldman LLP is a wake-up call for all residents who cherish the Palouse.
What We Can Do Together:
- Demand Transparency: Contact Commissioners Largent, Swannack, and Handy to express your concern and demand full disclosure of all dealings with Van Ness Feldman LLP.
- Mobilize Community Support: Attend upcoming county meetings and public hearings. Our collective presence and voices are more important now than ever.
- Spread the Word: Share this article and discuss these developments with your friends, family, and neighbors. Awareness is the first step toward change.
- Support Our Efforts: Join us in advocating for policies that reflect the community’s desires, not big-city agendas.
Conclusion
The decision to hire Van Ness Feldman LLP, revealed here in detail for the first time, is not just a bureaucratic maneuver—it is a direct affront to the residents of Whitman County. Our elected officials have chosen to invest in legal representation that appears to oppose the unambiguous will of the very people they serve. We must hold them accountable for this misuse of public funds and blatant disregard for community input.
There are realistic solutions that allow for responsible development in Whitman County without sacrificing our region’s character.
While some development may be inevitable, it must be thoughtfully planned and genuinely benefit the people of Whitman County. We support transparent processes, stronger regulations, and policies that ensure all voices are heard, especially those most affected by these changes.
We believe that the Palouse’s future must be shaped by the people who cherish and rely upon this land every day—not dictated by outside interests aiming to permanently scar the heart of our remarkable unique landscape. Let’s unite to protect the integrity, beauty, and heritage of our region while pursuing a development path that aligns with our values. Together, we can push back against this overreach and work toward a future that honors the integrity and beauty of our region.
We at Save the Palouse are committed to standing up for our community. The time to act is now. Let’s Save the Palouse for ourselves and future generations.
All very sad and very true. The commissioner’s are lazy and, quite frankly, in over their heads. They made a deal with the devil. They are complicit. They should be recalled.