Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** Nevada county pushes back on mining, solar pressure
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Thursday, January 11, 2024
Big Spring at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, USFWS ([link removed])
West of Las Vegas, county commissioners in Nye County, Nevada are pushing back against growing pressure from mining and solar development that threatens the county's water supply. The Nevada Current reports ([link removed]) that county commissioners unanimously approved a letter ([link removed]) asking the Interior Department to protect the area around Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge from a possible open-pit lithium mine.
Canadian mining company Rover Metals received initial approval for exploratory drilling near the refuge last year, but the Bureau of Land Management revoked the permit after a lawsuit and public opposition. Rover submitted a new plan ([link removed]) last month, prompting the county to seek permanent protection through a mineral withdrawal for the area around the refuge, which contains a network of natural springs.
"These springs are an oasis in one of the hottest, driest places on earth," the letter reads ([link removed]) . "This habitat area is home to more than 25 rare plants and animal species that exist nowhere else on the planet, some of which are protected under the Endangered Species Act."
Separately, Nye County is home to an emerging conflict between residential and solar development along the border with neighboring Clark County. The counties share a hydrographic basin, and Nye county commissioners say that if Clark County approves solar projects in its side of the basin, the development will threaten the water supply ([link removed]) for residents of Pahrump, a Las Vegas exurb in Nye County.
** Quick hits
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How the rush for critical minerals risks making a "dumpster fire" of federal law even worse
Washington Monthly ([link removed])
With progress stalled in Congress, advocates urge Biden to expand Berryessa monument
CapRadio ([link removed])
New national monument in Arizona makes NYT's "52 places to visit" list
New York Times ([link removed])
Who to watch at the Interior department in 2024
E&E News ([link removed])
Wyoming asks feds to butt out as governor pushes "squishy" plan to protect pronghorn
WyoFile ([link removed])
Big 5 oil companies to reward shareholders with more than $100 billion in payouts
The Guardian ([link removed])
Arizona governor vows to update state's water laws
Inside Climate News ([link removed])
Biggest U.S. wind project is under construction in New Mexico
E&E News ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” People hear about this law and they say, no, no, no, that can’t be right. Then they learn more and realize it’s even worse than they thought.”
—John Robison, Idaho Conservation League, Washington Monthly ([link removed])
** Picture This
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@nationalparkservice ([link removed])
Nobody:
Your parents describing walking to school in winter:
It was five miles in deep snow with no wi-fi! Hiking in winter can be a beautiful thing. If you like hiking in winter. It's not for everyone and that's okay. But there's nothing like being out on a trail as a hush falls while snow blankets the landscape.
Image: A line of bison push snow around to make a path, and then play 'follow the leader' to conserve energy at Yellowstone National Park. NPS/Jim Peaco
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