New Mine Plan Would Condemn Rare Nevada Wildflower to Extinction

Proposed Nevada Lithium Mine Threatens Endangered Wildflower

RENO, Nev.— The U.S. Bureau of Land Management released a draft environmental impact statement today for a proposed Nevada lithium mine that would push the endangered wildflower Tiehm’s buckwheat to extinction despite its protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Threat to Tiehm’s Buckwheat and Critical Habitat

Under the plan, the 7,000 acre open-pit Rhyolite Ridge Lithium Mine would directly destroy 22% of the buckwheat’s 910 acres of protected critical habitat, while severely degrading the rest because it’s so close to mining operations, with the open pit coming within 44 feet of the rare plants.

A previous version of the mine plan would have destroyed 38% of the plant’s critical habitat. The agency and mining company have said the reduction in the amount of direct destruction would save the plant.

Environmental Concerns and Opposition

“This latest plan for Rhyolite Ridge Mine is just greenwashing extinction,” said Patrick Donnelly, Great Basin director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Reducing the destruction of this rare plant’s habitat from 38% to 22% is like cutting off one leg instead of both. They’re still dealing a fatal blow to this precious, rare wildflower. This mine plan makes a mockery of the Endangered Species Act, and we’ll fight it with everything we’ve got.”

Tiehm’s buckwheat is a rare Nevada wildflower with delicate cream-colored blossoms that grows on the boron- and lithium-rich soils of the Silver Peak Range in Esmeralda County. It is a linchpin of the local ecosystem, harboring a highly diverse pollinator community.

Australian mining company Ioneer has already caused significant damage to Tiehm’s buckwheat’s critical habitat during mining exploration activities. Its mining operations were the chief reason cited by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in declaring the species endangered in 2022.

Concerns over Environmental Review Process

Today’s draft environmental impact statement was released after a rushed environmental review, which one agency official said “deviate[d] from other project schedules on similar projects.”

Call for Action and Protection

“I’m deeply concerned with the proposed mine plan, which will cause permanent, irreparable damage to Tiehm’s buckwheat’s habitat, disrupt pollinators and cause significant dust and pollution,” said Naomi Fraga, Ph.D., director of conservation at the California Botanic Garden. “For an extremely rare species confined to such a small area, no amount of destruction of its critical habitat is acceptable. The botanical community will stand together to fight back against this plan.”

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 15: Life on Land
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The article discusses the proposed Nevada lithium mine’s impact on the endangered wildflower Tiehm’s buckwheat and its critical habitat. This issue is directly connected to SDG 15, which focuses on protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity. Additionally, the article mentions the reduction in destruction of the plant’s habitat, which relates to SDG 12, promoting responsible consumption and production to minimize environmental impacts.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
• SDG 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

The article highlights the potential extinction of Tiehm’s buckwheat due to the proposed lithium mine. This aligns with SDG 15.5, which aims to prevent the extinction of threatened species. The reduction in destruction of the plant’s habitat also relates to SDG 12.2, promoting sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

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 15.5: Extent of protected areas in relation to terrestrial areas.
• Indicator for SDG 12.2: Material footprint, material efficiency, and waste generation per capita.

The article mentions the protected critical habitat of Tiehm’s buckwheat and the potential destruction caused by the proposed mine. The extent of protected areas in relation to terrestrial areas can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards SDG 15.5. Additionally, the reduction in destruction of the plant’s habitat relates to the efficient use of natural resources, which can be measured through indicators such as material footprint, material efficiency, and waste generation per capita for SDG 12.2.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: biologicaldiversity.org

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