In the newest episode of 90 Miles from Needles, the Desert Protection podcast, host Chris Clarke welcomes back Mason Voehl from the Amargosa Conservancy for an engaging and informative update on the situation surrounding Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and the threat of lithium mining explorations. As environmental defenders, the Amargosa Conservancy — with partners like the Center for Biological Diversity and the Nature Conservancy — has successfully pressed for a pause on mining developments that pose a risk to the unique ecosystem of Ash Meadows.
Key takeaways:
A Canadian mining company, Rover Critical Minerals, put forth plans on 2023 to conduct exploratory drilling on the doorstep of Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge, prompting concerns that their drilling would destroy habitat for endangered species.
The Amargosa Conservancy, backed by other groups and a local community pushback, has achieved a temporary victory, prompting the Bureau of Land Management to require a more thorough environmental analysis.
Rover Critical Minerals recently doubled down, escalating the situation by making hundreds of new mining claims close to the community and the refuge.
Ash Meadows is a critical biodiversity hotspot, housing 26 endemic species and relying on a fragile groundwater ecosystem.
The conversation emphasizes the need for a mineral withdrawal to protect the area from mining and calls for public support to ensure long-term conservation.
The conversation with Mason Voehl delves deep into the ongoing challenges faced by the Amargosa Basin, the impact of mining claims on local groundwater, and the grassroots effort underway to balance environmental preservation with sustainable community development.
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This newsletter is a project of the nonprofit Desert Advocacy Media Network. D.A.M.N. also produces the 90 Miles from Needles desert protection podcast, the weekly Desert News, and Letters From the Desert, an email newsletter by desert writer Chris Clarke.