Nevada mineral withdrawal kicks off to protect Ash Meadows refuge; The Wilderness Society applauds
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada
Mason Cummings, TWS
Interior begins process to block new mineral development in Amargosa River Valley
WASHINGTON D.C. (Jan. 14, 2025) — The Department of the Interior published a segregation notice in the federal register for land surrounding Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in western Nevada, initiating the process to protect the sensitive desert landscape from mining for the next 20 years.
The mineral withdrawal notice, which would block new mineral claims and exploratory drilling, comes after years of advocacy by local tribes, local town and county leaders, Nevada’s congressional delegation and conservation groups. Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is an oasis-like complex of wetlands in the middle of arid desert, containing at least 26 endemic wildlife species, including the iconic Devil’s Hole pupfish, and comprising part of the ancestral homelands of the Timbisha Shoshone and Southern Paiute tribes.
The mineral withdrawal notice kicks off the process of protecting an oasis-like complex of wetlands in the middle of arid Nevada desert
The Amargosa Valley has seen numerous new speculative mining claims in recent years due to 19th century mining laws that are badly in need of reform. Among the major concerns about these claims is how much of the area’s scant water supply would be required to run mining operations there. An overwhelming majority of Nevadans identified shortage of water in the region as a problem in a 2023 poll. Puncturing the groundwater table through exploratory drilling is another threat that would have disastrous effects on the region. The mining company that is pursuing lithium north of the refuge has acknowledged they will probably encounter groundwater in the area. There is also concern that exploration to the north of the refuge could lead to open-pit mining operations nearby.
Jose Witt, Nevada state director for The Wilderness Society, made the following statement about the news:
“This withdrawal proposal is about safeguarding a community’s vital and scarce water supply. From its array of wildlife found nowhere else on Earth to its significance in Timbisha Shoshone and Southern Paiute cultural traditions, there is no place quite like Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. We’re thrilled to see the Bureau of Land Management move to protect this unique landscape from mining and exploratory drilling. We hope this time will be used for local and national leaders to discuss long term solutions to ensure groundwater security and sustainability in the Amargosa River watershed moving forward.”
The Ash Meadows segregation notice automatically withdraws the land from mineral development for the next two years and simultaneously kicks off a 90-day public comment meeting period. Following the public comment period, the federal government will decide whether to finalize the proposed 20-year withdrawal.
