Nevada judge asked to halt ‘scorched-earth plan’ to clear-cut forests
Nevada judge asked to halt ‘scorched-earth plan’ to clear-cut forests Las Vegas Review-Journal
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Environmental Groups Seek Preliminary Injunction to Halt Clear-Cutting of Pinyon-Juniper Forests in Nevada
Environmental groups are asking a judge to halt what they are calling a “scorched-earth plan” to clear-cut pinyon-juniper forests along the eastern edge of Nevada.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Emphasized:
- Goal 15: Life on Land
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- Goal 14: Life Below Water
The Center for Biological Diversity and Western Watersheds Project filed a motion for a preliminary injunction Wednesday in Nevada federal court in an attempt to stop the Bureau of Reclamation from cutting down more than 380,000 acres of pinyon-juniper forests in Spring Valley, about 40 miles east of Ely. The groups initially sued over the project’s approval in March.
The bureau’s plan, which was approved last fall, includes the use of “chaining” — a practice that involves dragging a Navy ship anchor chain between two bulldozers in order to uproot large swaths of forest.
“The Bureau’s scorched-earth plan is utterly shocking amid the climate and extinction emergencies. Hopefully the judge will stop the bulldozers before they decimate Spring Valley,” Scott Lake, Nevada staff attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced recently that it is considering federal protections under the Endangered Species Act for the pinyon ja, a species of bird whose populations have declined substantially over the last half-century. Some research has linked that drop to the loss of the bird’s natural habitat due to both climate change and intentional thinning of pinyon-juniper forests.
The Bureau of Reclamation did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday. The federal agency previously has said that pinyon-juniper forest removal projects improve sagebrush ecosystems, which in turn improves habitats for mule deer, sage grouse and other species.
Tree removal under the federal government’s plan is set to start in October.
Contact Information:
- Contact: Colton Lochhead
- Email: clochhead@reviewjournal.com
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the potential negative impacts of the Bureau of Reclamation’s plan to clear-cut pinyon-juniper forests in Spring Valley. This relates to SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. The destruction of forests can contribute to climate change by releasing stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Additionally, the article mentions the potential loss of habitat for the pinyon ja bird, which is a species of concern. This connects to SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
- SDG 15.1: Ensure conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems
The Bureau of Reclamation’s plan to clear-cut pinyon-juniper forests raises concerns about the integration of climate change measures into national policies (SDG 13.2). The destruction of these forests can release stored carbon dioxide and contribute to climate change. Additionally, the potential loss of habitat for the pinyon ja bird highlights the need to ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15.1).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 13.2: Existence of national policies, strategies, and planning documents that integrate climate change measures
- Indicator for SDG 15.1: Extent of forest area protected and conserved
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators, but progress towards SDG 13.2 can be measured by assessing the existence of national policies, strategies, and planning documents that integrate climate change measures. In the case of SDG 15.1, progress can be measured by evaluating the extent of forest area protected and conserved, which would include pinyon-juniper forests.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Existence of national policies, strategies, and planning documents that integrate climate change measures |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.1: Ensure conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems | Extent of forest area protected and conserved |
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Source: reviewjournal.com
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