Conservationists and Native American Group Seek to Halt Mine’s Construction
Conservationists and Native American advocacy groups have filed a federal lawsuit to stop the construction of a lithium-boron mine in Nevada, arguing it endangers a rare wildflower and threatens Indigenous cultural sites. The Center for Biological Diversity and the Western Shoshone Defense Project are challenging the U.S. Interior Department’s recent approval of Ioneer Ltd.’s Rhyolite Ridge mine, alleging it will devastate the habitat of Tiehm’s buckwheat, an endangered wildflower unique to the area.
Environmental Concerns Over Rare Plant Habitat
Tiehm’s buckwheat, a 6-inch-tall wildflower with delicate cream and yellow blooms, is the only known population of its kind, located near the California-Nevada border between Reno and Las Vegas. In 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated nearly 910 acres of land as critical habitat for the species, declaring the plant “in danger of extinction now.” Conservationists argue the mine project threatens one-fifth of this habitat, with long-term disturbances spanning 146 acres and permanent destruction of 45 acres.
Environmental advocates have expressed dismay over what they see as a shift in priorities from the Interior Department, noting that just two years ago, the agency highlighted the plant’s fragile status. “One cannot save the planet from climate change while simultaneously destroying biodiversity,” said Fermina Stevens, director of the Western Shoshone Defense Project, a plaintiff in the lawsuit filed in Reno’s federal court.
Cultural Impact on Sacred Indigenous Sites
The lawsuit also claims the mine’s operations could destroy sacred sites of cultural significance to the Western Shoshone people. The endangered flower’s habitat includes natural features such as Cave Spring, which is a significant location for the Western Shoshone community. John Hadder, director of Great Basin Resource Watch, also a plaintiff, emphasized the importance of respecting Indigenous lands and practices, noting that the need for clean energy must not override Indigenous rights.
Clean Energy vs. Environmental Preservation
The mine is part of President Joe Biden’s clean energy agenda, which aims to cut fossil fuel reliance by ramping up domestic production of lithium, a key element for electric vehicle batteries and solar panels. Ioneer, the Australia-based mining company behind the project, is set to intervene in the lawsuit, stating that they are prepared to defend the project, which they believe “was based on a careful and thorough permitting process.” Vice President Chad Yeftich of Ioneer expressed confidence that the Bureau of Land Management’s decision will be upheld and expects no delays in the start of construction next year.
Conservation Groups Cite Endangered Species Act Violations
The lawsuit, however, contends that the mine violates the Endangered Species Act. When Fish and Wildlife listed Tiehm’s buckwheat as endangered in 2022, it dismissed the idea of a less stringent “threatened” status due to the plant’s dire situation. The designation underscored that any loss of habitat would hinder the recovery of Tiehm’s buckwheat.
The lawsuit further disclosed recent evidence of additional losses in the plant’s population that were not included in the agency’s recent biological opinion, hinting at even greater risk to the plant’s survival.
