The Department of the Interior today temporarily halted new mining claims and leases near the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, a protection that could be extended for up to 20 years pending a federally -mandated review. Defenders of Wildlife celebrates this move to safeguard the vulnerable groundwater that gives rise to the refuge’s unique desert springs. It is a significant step that would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the communities and tribes of the Amargosa Valley who depend on the groundwater just as much as the refuge and its wildlife.
“Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is a fragile ecosystem with plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth,” said Nathan Marcy, senior federal lands analyst for Defenders of Wildlife. “This withdrawal is crucial to protect vital natural resources that are threatened by new mining activity.”
For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.
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