Chris Clarke March 03, 2025
Ioneer plans 2025 construction at Rhyolite Ridge mine
Ioneer will commence construction later this year on the the Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron mine in Esmeralda County, located about 60 miles southwest of Tonopah.
www.nevadaappeal.com/news/2025/feb/24/ioneer-plans-2025-construction-at-rhyolite-ridge-mine
BLM asks climbers to protect raptors in Indian Creek - The Times-Independent
The BLM asks climbers, campers and hikers to completely avoid areas with active nests until the young birds have fledged, which is usually by late summer.
www.moabtimes.com/articles/blm-asks-climbers-to-protect-raptors-in-indian-creek
Dust from Great Salt Lake could be harmful to sensitive groups
During dust storms, people inhale sediment from Great Salt Lake. The dust can trigger people with sensitive airways.
www.upr.org/health/2025-02-25/dust-from-the-great-salt-lake-could-be-harmful-to-sensitive-groups
Grand County reverses stance on Manti-La Sal wilderness designations - The Times-Independent
The 2023 draft plan includes nine recommended wilderness areas across Grand and San Juan counties.
www.moabtimes.com/articles/grand-county-reverses-stance-on-manti-la-sal-wilderness-designations
New plant species discovered in Big Bend
Two staff members encountered a tiny plant in Big Bend National Park that they did not recognize. Upon further investigation, they discovered that it is a species previously unknown to science.
www.alpineavalanche.com/news/new-plant-species-discovered-big-bend
S4E5: DOGE Layoffs Are Sabotaging Public Lands
DOI layoffs are gutting the workforce that protects America’s public lands. In this episode of 90 Miles from Needles, we explore how these cuts threaten conservation efforts and what it means for the
www.90milesfromneedles.com/s4e5-doge-layoffs-are-sabotaging-public-lands
Federal Layoffs Will Hurt Rural Counties – Sierra Nevada Ally
Thousands of rural Americans are employed by the federal government in a variety of jobs across the nation. How will Trump’s employment purge hurt rural communities?
sierranevadaally.org/2025/02/26/federal-layoffs-will-hurt-rural-counties
‘An incredibly uniquely bad time’: National park layoffs prompt anxiety about the future
Read more about impacts to the Blackwell School and the Fort Davis National Historic Sites.
bigbendsentinel.com/2025/02/26/an-incredibly-uniquely-bad-time-national-park-layoffs-prompt-anxiety-about-the-future
Groundwater Authority criticized over lacking transparency and public engagement
At the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority board meeting on Feb. 12, transparency and public engagement took the spotlight multiple times throughout the meeting. Several members of the public criticized
www.ridgecrestca.com/news/groundwater-authority-criticized-over-lacking-transparency-and-public-engagement/article_46eb995c-f591-11ef-b8cb-63da74122c38.html
‘Protection … is not negotiable’: Nevada town rallies for mining pause near Ash Meadows
President Donald Trump’s Bureau of Land Management in Nevada will decide the fate of mining near Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.
www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-nevada/nevada-town-rallies-for-20-year-mining-pause-at-ash-meadows-3312223
Military Presence May Return to Big Bend National Park Amid Border Troop Surge
Discussions between park leadership and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) could pave the way for active-duty military personnel to return to Big Bend National Park for the first time in nearly thr…
bigbendtimes.com/2025/02/27/military-presence-may-return-to-big-bend-national-park-amid-border-troop-surge
11 Raptor Species Illegally Killed in Beaver County - ETV News
Utah Department of Natural Resources law enforcement officers are seeking information from the public after several raptor species, including hawks and owls, were illegally killed in southern Utah over the last several months.
Park rangers battle Australians seeking rare earth minerals in old Mojave gold mine
The National Park Service and an Australian company are at odds over an old Mojave Desert gold mine, where the company is seeking to extract rare earth minerals.
www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-02-28/park-rangers-battle-australians-seeking-rare-earth-minerals-in-old-mojave-gold-mine
Bighorn blues: Can Nevada’s state animal overcome climate change?
Desert bighorn sheep are an emblem of the Silver State and the West. Without wateretvnews.com/articles/local-news/dnr-law-enforcement-officers-seek-information-after-11-raptor-species-illegally-killed-in-beaver-county, they can’t survive.
www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-nevada/bighorn-blues-can-nevadas-state-animal-overcome-climate-change-3312780
County hosts Lithium Valley Specific Plan workshop
EL CENTRO – Imperial County hosted on Wednesday evening a workshop that allowed the public to discuss and get educated about the Lithium Valley Specific Plan.
www.ivpressonline.com/news/county-hosts-lithium-valley-specific-plan-workshop/article_c6f9369e-f56f-11ef-980e-7bd4672b4f4b.html
Trump's push for more copper could boost proposed Tucson mine
President Trump signed an executive order this week that calls for boosting the domestic copper industry, which could eventually help two delayed Arizona mining projects.
tucson.com/news/local/environment/article_cc025a08-f5ec-11ef-bd90-fbbd395b0361.html
PHOTOS: Death Valley dark sky dazzles at annual spring festival
Astronomy enthusiasts gather to admire the grandeur of the cosmos in one of the darkest locations of the United States during the darkest part of the year.
pvtimes.com/news/photos-death-valley-dark-sky-dazzles-at-annual-spring-festival-140458
Moab demonstrators join national movement against federal worker firings - The Times-Independent
“It might be a small town, but we’re on the map. We’re passionate people, and we care about our resources, and we care about our community and we have a voice in this too.”
www.moabtimes.com/articles/moab-demonstrators-join-national-movement-against-federal-worker-firings
Dozens gather near Lake Mead to protest National Park Service job cuts
The protest was one of many to take place at national parks around the country on Saturday.
www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/clark-county/dozens-gather-near-lake-mead-to-protest-national-park-service-job-cuts-3313089/?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=topnews&utm_source=news&utm_term=Dozens%20gather%20near%20Lake%20Mead%20to%20protest%20National%20Park%20Service%20job%20cuts
Calexico looks to increase use of public transportation with new center
CALEXICO — The city of Calexico held a groundbreaking ceremony here Friday for its new Intermodal Transportation Center.
www.ivpressonline.com/featured/calexico-looks-to-increase-use-of-public-transportation-with-new-center/article_c7ffd476-f614-11ef-b1da-df3f3b3227cd.html
'We work for the people': Hundreds rally at Arizona national parks to protest federal cuts
At least five national parks, monuments and forests in Arizona were expected to see protesters objecting to federal layoffs and budget cuts.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2025/03/01/dozens-rally-at-grand-canyon-arizona-national-parks-to-protest-federal-cuts/80973447007/?tbref=hp
Colorado River flow data available online thanks to upgrades
Colorado River water data updates every 15 minutes are now possible thanks to a new online portal.
www.yumasun.com/news/colorado-river-flow-data-available-online-thanks-to-upgrades/article_41e1067a-f6e2-11ef-ae19-2f27048460ac.html
Feds throw a monkey wrench into the plan to limp Lake Mead through 2026 | Opinion
The feds have injected needless uncertainty into a plan to stabilize Lake Mead through 2026. That helps exactly no one in Arizona.
www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/joannaallhands/2025/03/01/lake-mead-colorado-river-federal-funding-freeze/80749545007/?tbref=hp
Federal layoffs cause long lines at Grand Canyon; Hobbs won't step in
Gov. Katie Hobbs says she won’t use state resources to help out at the Grand Canyon even if there is a ripple effect on the Arizona economy from the National
tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/article_54121b72-f601-11ef-a393-7bed7f51a28c.html
Red flag warning: 'Extreme fire danger' in El Paso region, New Mexico forests
A "red flag warning" cautions of wildfire risks across West Texas and southern New Mexico.
www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2025/03/02/red-flag-warning-extreme-fire-danger-in-texas-new-mexico/81080934007
About 1,000 in Tucson protest Musk, Trump
The organizer of a protests that stretched along the four corners of North Oracle and West River roads Saturday expected up to 600 people to participate. But the crowd likely
tucson.com/news/local/article_ca4033a4-f612-11ef-9761-4f75b6a5e623.html
These 'great old broads' are serious about science, wolves and reversing climate change
In Arizona, the Great Old Broads for Wilderness offer citizen scientist hikes and campouts, where they have fun while working on behalf of wildlife.
www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2025/03/02/great-old-broads-take-science-climate-change-to-communities/80156854007
Ivins nonprofit's new collaboration aims to restore Utah's native biodiversity
When Dave Herrero came to Southern Utah to see tamarisk-removal efforts by the Desert Preservation Initiative, an Ivins-based nonprofit, he took one of the key steps to success in the
www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/ivins-nonprofits-new-collaboration-aims-to-restore-utahs-native-biodiversity/article_45bbfd3c-f79f-11ef-b809-f342f9c88d1c.html
Poll: Utahns value their public lands, want continued protections
As President Donald Trump starts dismantling agencies managing and protecting public lands, a new poll indicates it is unpopular in states across the West, including Utah.
www.cedarcityutah.com/news/poll-utahns-value-their-public-lands-want-continued-protections/article_4a0d3654-48d9-51e8-a2bb-fec3eaca25b2.html
Questions and confusion as Trump pauses key funding for shrinking Colorado River
Halted funding threatens the sustainability of the entire system, experts say.
grist.org/drought/questions-and-confusion-as-trump-pauses-key-funding-for-shrinking-colorado-river
