Press Releases
Jaguar photo by Tierra Curry/Center for Biological Diversity.
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Viewing recent news releases in the Great Basin Region program.
Mining Company That Targeted Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge Scraps Nevada Plans
LAS VEGAS— The mining company that touched off a firestorm with its proposal to mine lithium at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is walking away from the Nevada project.
Read more.Lawsuit Launched to Stop Trump Administration’s OK of Toad-Killing Energy Project
RENO, Nev.— The Center for Biological Diversity sent a notice today of its intent to sue the Trump administration for its impending authorization of a geothermal project that would put Nevada’s rare Dixie Valley toad on a path to extinction.
Read more.Trump Administration Uses Bogus ‘Energy Emergency’ to Rubberstamp Expansion of Utah Crude Oil Transport Facility
SALT LAKE CITY— The Bureau of Land Management announced today that it has completed an “accelerated environmental review process” and approved the proposed expansion of the Wildcat Loadout Facility near Helper, Utah.
Read more.Lawsuit Seeks Protection for Rare Desert Wetland Wildflower in Nevada, California
LAS VEGAS— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today seeking Endangered Species Act protections for the Tecopa bird’s beak, a rare desert wetland wildflower that grows in Nevada and California.
Read more.Supreme Court Limits Scope of Nation’s Bedrock Environmental Law
WASHINGTON— The Supreme Court today severely limited the scope of the nation’s landmark environmental law in a case that could give new life to a Utah oil train project.
Read more.Lawsuit Seeks Protections for Rare Toad Threatened by Trump’s Fossil Fuel Push
LAS VEGAS— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today for failing to finalize Endangered Species Act protections for the critically imperiled Railroad Valley toad.
Read more.100 Organizations Urge House Leadership to Scrap Public Lands Sell-off Proposal
WASHINGTON— More than 100 organizations urged congressional leaders today to drop an amendment from the House budget bill that would force the sale of at least 500,000 acres of public lands in Nevada and more than 11,000 acres in Utah.
Read more.Rare Nevada Fish Advances Toward Endangered Species Protections
RENO, Nev.— In response to a petition and litigation from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed protecting the Fish Lake Valley tui chub under the Endangered Species Act.
Read more.Appeal Challenges Plan to Bulldoze Forests, Sagebrush Near Nevada National Park
LAS VEGAS— Western Watersheds Project and the Center for Biological Diversity filed an appeal today challenging a federal court decision allowing the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to clearcut thousands of acres of pinyon-juniper woodland and sagebrush on public lands near Great Basin National Park.
Read more.Judge Rejects Effort by Utah Officials to Derail Great Salt Lake Lawsuit
SALT LAKE CITY— A state judge today paved the way for a landmark public trust suit over Utah’s failure to protect the Great Salt Lake to move forward, despite the objections of state officials. Judge Laura Scott agreed with plaintiffs that Utah’s public trust doctrine encompasses navigable waters like the Great Salt Lake and denied “in substantial part” the state’s motions to dismiss the lawsuit.
Read more.Legal Intervention Defends Clean Air from Fossil Fuel Industry in Utah’s Uinta Basin
DENVER— Environmental and public health groups filed a motion Thursday to join a federal lawsuit defending the Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to strengthen clean air safeguards in northeastern Utah’s Uinta Basin.
Read more.Rare Nevada Species Move Toward Endangered Species Act Protections
LAS VEGAS — As a result of petitions from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that three rare Nevada species may warrant protections under the Endangered Species Act.
Read more.Interior Department Pumps Brakes on Mining Near Nevada’s Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge
LAS VEGAS— The U.S. Department of the Interior announced today a two-year pause on new mining claims on land adjacent to Nevada’s Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Federal officials will also launch a public process to review a full 20-year withdrawal of the land from mining claims to protect it from pollution.
Read more.Rare Nevada Butterfly Proposed for Endangered Species Protection
RENO, Nev.— Responding to a Center for Biological Diversity petition, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed Endangered Species Act protection for the bleached sandhill skipper. This extremely rare subspecies of butterfly lives in alkali wetlands in far northern Nevada.
Read more.Supreme Court Hears Arguments Over Utah Oil Train in Case Challenging Scope of Nation's Landmark Environmental Law
WASHINGTON— The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments today in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, a case challenging the scope of the National Environmental Policy Act, the nation's landmark environmental law.
Read more.Dec. 3 Press Briefing: Environmental, Public Health Groups Outline Utah Oil Train's Upcoming Supreme Court Case
WASHINGTON— Environmental and public health groups opposing a Utah oil train's efforts to shortcut environmental review will hold a virtual press briefing on Tuesday, Dec. 3, to outline the arguments the U.S. Supreme Court will consider in a case challenging the scope of the nation’s landmark environmental law.
Read more.Lawsuit Aims to Protect Rare Flower, Cultural Sites From Nevada Lithium Mine
RENO, Nev.— A coalition of environmental and Tribal groups sued the U.S. Bureau of Land Management today to challenge its authorization of the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Mine in Nevada’s Esmeralda County.
Read more.BLM Grants Final Approval to Nevada Lithium Mine, Threatening Biodiversity, Cultural Landscapes
RENO, Nev.— The U.S. Bureau of Land Management gave final approval today to the Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Mine, despite severe threats the project poses to biodiversity, cultural landscapes and water.
Read more.Environmental, Public Health Groups File Brief Opposing Utah Oil Train's Supreme Court Appeal
WASHINGTON— Environmental and public health groups defended the nation's landmark environmental law in a brief filed today with the U.S. Supreme Court in a case challenging the law’s scope.
Read more.Lawsuit Launched to Protect Rare Toads From Nevada Oil Refinery Expansion
RENO, Nev.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a formal notice today of its intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for failing to protect the critically imperiled Railroad Valley toad under the Endangered Species Act. The rare toads face mounting threats from the region’s growing oil and gas industry.
Read more.Rare Desert Wetland Wildflower Advances Toward Endangered Species Protections
RENO, Nev.— In response to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the rare western wildflower Tecopa bird’s beak may qualify for protection under the Endangered Species Act.
Read more.Nevada Lithium Mine Advances Toward Approval, Threatening Rare Wildflower
RENO, Nev.— The U.S. Bureau of Land Management released a final environmental impact statement today for a proposed Nevada lithium mine that would push Tiehm’s buckwheat to extinction despite the rare flower’s protection under the Endangered Species Act.
Read more.Lawsuit Challenges Utah Inland Port Authority as Unconstitutional
SALT LAKE CITY— Environmental and public advocacy groups sued Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and state legislative leaders today to challenge the Utah Inland Port Authority as unconstitutional under the state’s principle of separation of powers.
Read more.$15,000 Reward Offered for Info on Endangered Condor Killed in Colorado
CORTEZ, Colo.— The Center for Biological Diversity today announced a reward of $15,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the March 2024 shooting death of a California condor in southwestern Colorado. Condors are protected under the federal Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Read more.Federal Plan for Public Lands Solar Development Opens 31 Million Acres in 11 Western States
TUCSON, Ariz.— The U.S. Bureau of Land Management released its Western Solar Plan today, proposing to open more than 31 million acres of public lands across 11 Western states to industrial-scale solar energy development, a 40% increase over the agency’s draft plan.
Read more.$20,000 Reward Offered in Killing of Endangered Condors in Utah
SALT LAKE CITY— The Center for Biological Diversity today announced a $20,000 reward for information leading to a conviction for the illegal shooting of two endangered California condors near Cedar City, Utah.
Read more.U.S. Forest Service Scraps Logging Project in Utah’s Ashley National Forest
SALT LAKE CITY— In response to a lawsuit by conservation groups, the U.S. Forest Service pulled its authorization of logging within 147,000 acres of sensitive roadless habitat in Utah’s Ashley National Forest.
Read more.Endangered Species Protection Sought for Rare Nevada Fish Threatened by Gold Mining
BEATTY, Nev.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed a legal petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today seeking protection under the Endangered Species Act for the Oasis Valley speckled dace, a rare fish who lives only in the springs that feed the Amargosa River in Beatty, Nevada.
Read more.Supreme Court Takes Up Case Challenging Utah’s Uinta Basin Railway
WASHINGTON— The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that it will consider part of an appellate court decision tossing out the U.S. Surface Transportation Board’s permit for the proposed Uinta Basin Railway. The project is designed to quintuple oil production in Utah’s Uinta Basin and move crude through the Colorado Rockies to Gulf Coast refineries.
Read more.Press Conference Monday Highlights Plant Extinction, Indigenous Concerns of Rhyolite Ridge Mine
ESMERALDA COUNTY, Nev.— The Center for Biological Diversity, the California Botanic Garden and the Western Shoshone Defense Project will hold a virtual press conference Monday to discuss and critique the Rhyolite Ridge Mine draft environmental impact statement, highlighting how it would spell extinction for Tiehm’s buckwheat and severely harm Indigenous communities and cultural values.
Read more.Emergency Endangered Species Protection Sought for Rare Nevada Toad
BEATTY, Nev.— The Center for Biological Diversity filed an emergency petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today seeking protection for Amargosa toads under the Endangered Species Act.
Read more.Government Proposes Protecting Critical Habitat for Rare Nevada Toad
RENO, Nev.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today proposed to designate 930 acres of protected critical habitat in Nevada for the endangered Dixie Valley toad.
Read more.Hundreds of New Mining Claims Threaten Death Valley National Park, Tribal Water Resources
AMARGOSA VALLEY, Nev.— Hundreds of new mining claims have been staked within the community of Amargosa Valley, Nevada, on thousands of acres directly adjacent to Death Valley National Park.
Read more.Lawsuit Challenges Logging in Utah’s Ashley National Forest
SALT LAKE CITY— Conservation groups sued the U.S. Forest Service today for approving logging within up to 147,000 acres of sensitive roadless habitat in Utah’s Ashley National Forest.
Read more.New Mine Plan Would Condemn Rare Nevada Wildflower to Extinction
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.
Read more.$10,000 Reward Offered for Info on Utah Bald Eagle Shooting
SALT LAKE CITY— The Center for Biological Diversity today announced a $10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction for the illegal shooting of a bald eagle in Cedar City, Utah.
Read more.Endangered Species Protections Sought for Wilson’s Phalarope
SALT LAKE CITY— The Center for Biological Diversity, leading a diverse coalition of scientists and conservation groups, filed a legal petition with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today seeking protections for Wilson’s phalarope under the Endangered Species Act.
Read more.Federal Agency Sued for Failure to Manage Nevada National Monuments
LAS VEGAS, Nev.— The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Bureau of Land Management today for failing to develop legally mandated management plans for Gold Butte and Basin and Range National Monuments in a timely fashion.
Read more.Press Conference Thursday Highlights Urgency of Endangered Species Act Protections for Threatened Migratory Bird
SALT LAKE CITY— Author Terry Tempest Williams, scientists, and a coalition of organizations and community members will hold a press conference and rally Thursday to announce the filing of an Endangered Species Act listing petition for Wilson’s phalaropes, migratory birds whose fate is intricately linked to that of the embattled Great Salt Lake.
Read more.Nevada Supreme Court Affirms Protecting Water for Wildlife
CARSON CITY, Nev.— The Nevada Supreme Court ruled today that the state has a right to manage groundwater for the preservation of senior water rights and the public interest, including wildlife.
Read more.Nevada Wildflower, Toad Advance Toward Endangered Species Protections
LAS VEGAS— In response to petitions from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that two rare species found in Nevada may qualify for Endangered Species Act protections.
Read more.Endangered Species Protection Sought for Rare Northern Nevada Wildflower
RENO, Nev.— The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today to protect a rare plant called the Carson Valley monkeyflower under the Endangered Species Act.
Read more.Lawsuit Targets State of Utah for Failing to Protect Great Salt Lake
SALT LAKE CITY— Conservation and community groups sued the state of Utah today for its failure to ensure that enough water reaches the Great Salt Lake to prevent ecological collapse.
Read more.Court Order Sought to Block Clearcutting Project Near Nevada’s Great Basin National Park
LAS VEGAS, Nev.— Conservation groups, joined by Tribal leaders, filed a motion for a preliminary injunction today to block a Bureau of Land Management deforestation project on public lands near Nevada’s Great Basin National Park.
Read more.Appeals Court Throws Out Permit for Utah’s Uinta Basin Railway
WASHINGTON— A federal appeals court today rejected the U.S. Surface Transportation Board’s permit for the proposed Uinta Basin Railway, designed to quadruple oil production in Utah’s Uinta Basin and move crude through the Colorado Rockies to Gulf Coast refineries.
Read more.Rare Nevada Butterfly Moves Closer to Endangered Species Protection
RENO, Nev.— Responding to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that the bleached sandhill skipper, an extremely rare species of butterfly found only in far northern Nevada, may warrant protection under the Endangered Species Act.
Read more.Landmark Water Case Reaches Nevada Supreme Court
CARSON CITY, Nev.— A 15-year campaign to stop real estate developers and water speculators from building a sprawling new city in the middle of the Nevada desert will come before the state Supreme Court today.
Read more.BLM Halts Drilling Near Nevada’s Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
LAS VEGAS, Nev.— The Bureau of Land Management has officially withdrawn its authorization of a proposed lithium mining exploration project at the edge of Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in southern Nevada.
Read more.Court Order Sought to Block Drilling at Nevada’s Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
LAS VEGAS, Nev.— Conservation advocates asked a federal judge today to prevent the launch of a lithium exploration project on the border of Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in southern Nevada. The motion for a preliminary injunction comes after the groups sued the U.S. Bureau of Land Management earlier this month for approving the project.
Read more.Lawsuit Targets Mine Drilling at Nevada’s Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
LAS VEGAS, Nev.— Conservation groups filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management today challenging the agency’s approval of exploratory mineral drilling near the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.
Read more.Nevada Sen. Cortez Masto Pushes Bill for Colorado River Water to Feed Las Vegas Sprawl
LAS VEGAS— Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced legislation today to force approval of the Horizon Lateral Pipeline, which would deliver Colorado River water to feed new sprawl development south of Las Vegas.
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