Conservationists and a Native American advocacy organization have filed a lawsuit to prevent a lithium mine in Nevada, arguing that its development will lead to the extinction of a rare wildflower, disrupt vital groundwater flows, and threaten significant cultural sites. The lawsuit targets the approval of Ioneer Ltd.’s Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron mine, located near the California border, which is home to the only known population of Tiehm’s buckwheat.
The Center for Biological Diversity announced its intent to litigate shortly after the U.S. Interior Department greenlit the project. This move highlights the growing tension surrounding clean energy initiatives under President Joe Biden’s administration, which aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels by boosting lithium production for electric vehicle batteries and solar panels.
The lawsuit asserts that the Interior Department’s decision marks a significant reversal from previous warnings by U.S. wildlife experts, who indicated in late 2022 that Tiehm’s buckwheat was “in danger of extinction now” and subsequently classified it as an endangered species. Fermina Stevens, director of the Western Shoshone Defense Project, which is part of the legal action, expressed concerns over the contradiction in efforts to combat climate change while risking biodiversity. “One cannot save the planet from climate change while simultaneously destroying biodiversity,” she stated.
John Hadder, director of the Great Basin Resource Watch and another co-plaintiff, emphasized the ethical dilemma presented by the mining operation. He argued that the pursuit of minerals for electric vehicles or solar energy should not come at the expense of Indigenous cultural sites and established environmental regulations.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which is part of the Interior Department, has not yet commented on the ongoing lawsuit. However, Ioneer’s Vice President Chad Yeftich expressed confidence in the approval process, stating that the company plans to defend the project vigorously, citing the thorough permitting it underwent. He indicated that construction plans remain on track for the upcoming year, despite the legal challenges.
Central to the lawsuit are claims that the mine will impact sacred sites for the Western Shoshone people, particularly Cave Spring, located less than a mile from the proposed mine site. This natural spring is regarded as a significant location for cultural and spiritual teachings among the community. The suit raises serious concerns over alleged violations of the Endangered Species Act, focusing on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s apparent shift in its assessment of the wildflower’s threats.
The mine’s proposed operation would entail excavating three times deeper than the length of a football field, resulting in a loss of up to one-fifth of the designated critical habitat for Tiehm’s buckwheat. This area is essential for the plant’s conservation and the survival of various pollinators crucial to its lifecycle.
When the Fish and Wildlife Service proposed protections for the critical habitat, they emphasized its importance, stating that “this unit is essential to the conservation and recovery of Tiehm’s buckwheat.” This statement was part of the rationale behind the plant’s endangered classification, which rejected the option of a less severe threatened status. The agency noted, “We find that a threatened species status is not appropriate because the threats are severe and imminent.”
The lawsuit further reveals that the wildflower’s population, estimated to be fewer than 30,000, has faced additional losses since August that were not included in the Fish and Wildlife Service’s recent biological assessment. These losses are akin to a previous incident in 2020, where rodent activity reportedly reduced the population by as much as 60%.
In its biological opinion, the Fish and Wildlife Service acknowledged that the mining project would cause long-term disturbances to the plant community, projecting a disruption of about 23 years, including the permanent loss of approximately 45 acres of critical habitat. However, they concluded that these adverse effects would not significantly diminish the overall value of the critical habitat designated for Tiehm’s buckwheat.
As the lawsuit unfolds, it underscores the broader debate over balancing the urgent need for renewable energy sources with the imperative to protect endangered species and respect Indigenous rights. The case also raises questions about the future of environmental protection in the context of expanding clean energy initiatives.
