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Southern Nevada delegation asks feds for 20-year mining ban near Ash Meadows wildlife refuge

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Southern Nevada delegation asks feds for 20-year mining ban near Ash Meadows wildlife refuge


Southern Nevada’s federal delegation are calling on the federal government to prohibit mining on public land in the fragile Amargosa River watershed, an effort pushed by locals in the area for months.

On Tuesday, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto sent a letter to federal land managers, urging the Department of the Interior to implement a 20-year ban on new mining operations on public land surrounding the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, a critical wetland habitat that supports a dozen endangered and threatened species.

Sen. Jacky Rosen and Reps. Dina Titus, Steven Horsford, and Susie Lee also signed the letter.

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The 20-year ban is supported by the Timbisha Shoshone Tribal Council, the Nye County Board of Commissioners, the Nye County Water District, and both the town boards of Amargosa Valley and Beatty, according to Nevada Current.

Under federal law, the Department of the Interior has the authority to withdraw lands from mineral extraction for up to 20 years by approving an application for mineral withdrawal submitted by the managing agency. Mineral withdrawals can also be permanently secured through legislation passed by Congress and signed by the president. 

A federal mineral withdrawal would not dissolve previous mining claims, but it would greatly reduce mining companies’ interest in developing the area, say supporters of the 20-year ban.

In the letter, the lawmakers representing Southern Nevada ask Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to formally initiate a 20-year mineral withdrawal on about 276,000 acres of public lands researchers say is most vulnerable to groundwater depletion from mining activities. 

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“Drilling for exploration or mining could puncture the highly pressurized underlying aquifer, resulting in artesian flow that could reduce spring flows and water levels at Devils Hole, and would have widespread catastrophic effects on this fragile landscape. Pit mining activities would require dewatering that would draw down groundwater levels, reducing spring flow in the Refuge and affecting the water supply for local communities,” the lawmakers wrote.

The Amargosa River travels just under the surface for most of its 185-mile course. In the stretches of the river that reach the surface — like the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge — the river supports endemic species that depend entirely on springs fed by groundwater aquifers. 

However, some of those aquifers are extremely close to the surface, meaning even shallow drilling in the Amargosa Basin groundwater system can have severe, unpredictable, and far-reaching impacts.

The request comes after Canada-based Rover Critical Minerals’ (formerly Rover Metals) announced a new plan last year to drill as many as 21 boreholes less than a mile from the refuge — at depths of up to 150 feet — in search of valuable lithium deposits. The proposal included plans to drill within a few thousand feet of Fairbanks Spring, a critical habitat for the endangered Ash Meadows Amargosa pupfish and the Ash Meadows speckled dace.

“Recent proposals for exploratory mineral drilling and extraction near the Refuge boundary pose an immediate threat to the integrity of this fragile ecosystem,” reads the letter.

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Indivisible Las Vegas to host No Kings rally, march at federal courthouse downtown

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Indivisible Las Vegas to host No Kings rally, march at federal courthouse downtown


A coalition of progressive groups is planning a series of rallies across Southern Nevada on Saturday, including a downtown Las Vegas event that organizers say will focus on unity and resistance.

Indivisible Las Vegas will host “No Kings Las Vegas” in partnership with 19 other local and state progressive groups.

Organizers say people all over the country and world will join up for a day of unity, resistance, and resolve against a corrupt, incompetent regime acting illegally and unconstitutionally.

No Kings Las Vegas is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. downtown at the Federal Courthouse. Speakers and performers are expected to deliver messages about building community, equality, diversity, and empathy.

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The event will include a march and is set to end at 7 p.m.

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Additional rallies are also planned Saturday in Henderson, North Las Vegas, Pahrump, and Mesquite.



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Friday’s high school scores, top performances

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Friday’s high school scores, top performances


Top performances

Baseball

– Ryland Gregorich, Clark: The sophomore went 4-for-4 with a home run, a triple and two RBIs, and also was the winning pitcher in the Chargers’ six-inning 12-2 win over Eldorado.

– Kayne Horibe, Pahrump Valley: The senior went 4-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs as the Trojans beat Virgin Valley 9-4.

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– Benson Ornelas, Mater East: The freshman went 3-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and five runs scored to help the Knights stomp Sunrise Mountain 35-0 in three innings.

– Dylan Othick, Faith Lutheran: The senior struck out nine while pitching a complete-game two-hitter as the Crusaders rolled past Durango 7-0.

– Mark Raborn, Shadow Ridge: The junior reliever pitched three scoreless innings, allowing the Mustangs to rally past Dixie (Utah) 5-3 with a five-run seventh inning.

Softball

– Ava Koenig, Palo Verde: The senior struck out 11 while tossing a complete-game one-hitter as the Panthers defeated Doral Academy 3-0.

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– Sophia Ortiz, Las Vegas: The freshman went 3-for-3 with two RBIs to help the Wildcats beat Chaparral 20-5 in four innings.

– Natalie Tapia, Western: The senior went 4-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs as the Warriors outlasted Canyon Springs for a 16-10 victory.

– Gwen Thewes, Bishop Gorman: The junior went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBIs to help the Gaels overcome a six-run deficit to beat Green Valley 8-6.

– Peyton Williams, Arbor View: The freshman went 3-for-3 with a home run, a triple and four RBIs to lead the Aggies past Coronado 11-1 in six innings.

Boys volleyball

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– Jeremiah James, Sierra Vista: The senior logged 15 assists to help the Mountain Lions defeat The Meadows 25-13, 25-21.

– Ethan Natanel, Durango: The senior finished with 38 assists and two blocks in the Trailblazers’ 25-18, 25-18 win over Mater East.

– Toller Trummell, Foothill: The sophomore posted seven kills and seven digs as the Falcons defeated Las Vegas 25-22, 22-25, 15-10.

Scores

Baseball

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Arbor View 9, Snow Canyon (Utah) 5

Mater East 35, Sunrise Mountain 0

Pahrump Valley 9, Virgin Valley 4

Rancho 16, Desert Pines 1

Shadow Ridge 9, Taylorsville (Utah) 1

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Shadow Ridge 5, Dixie (Utah) 3

Sierra Vista 4, Bonanza 2

Western 10, Cimarron-Memorial 1

Softball

Arbor View 11, Coronado 1

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Bishop Gorman 8, Green Valley 6

Las Vegas 20, Chaparral 5

Pahrump Valley 6, Virgin Valley 2

Palo Verde 3, Doral Academy 0

Round Mountain 15, Laughlin 6

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Round Mountain 11, Laughlin 2

The Meadows 16, Democracy Prep 0

Western 16, Canyon Springs 10

Boys volleyball

Arbor View 2, Moapa Valley 0

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Cadence 2, Las Vegas 1

Centennial 2, Virgin Valley 0

Centennial 2, Legacy 0

Central East (Calif.) 2, Tech 0

Coral Academy 2, Sierra Vista 1

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Coral Academy 2, Liberty 1

Coral Academy 2, The Meadows 0

Del Sol 3, Amplus Academy 0

Desert Oasis 2, Cadence 0

Durango 2, Mater East 0

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Foothill 2, Cadence 0

Foothill 2, Las Vegas 1

Sierra Vista 2, The Meadows 0

Silverado 2, Durango 0

Sweetwater (Calif.) 2, Losee 0

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Contact Jeff Wollard at jwollard@reviewjournal.com.



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Is it legal to park in someone’s driveway in Nevada? What the law says

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Is it legal to park in someone’s driveway in Nevada? What the law says


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As Nevadans are getting ready for family and friend cookouts and summer parties, they may be looking for a place to park in residential areas. It may be tempting to park near your neighbor’s driveway, but people should first know what’s allowed.

After all, as annoying as it is to have to park far away from your destination, a large fine and a tow is far more inconvenient.

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Here’s what the Nevada law says about parking in front of your neighbor’s house, near their driveway, and on a public street.

Can I park in my neighbor’s driveway?

No. Unless you are a United States Postal Service worker, it is prohibited in Nevada to park “within 5 feet of a public or private driveway.”

Can you park in front of your neighbor’s house in Nevada?

Unless a permit is required or other official signage on a street notes special parking requirements, it is legal to park on any public street. That includes in front of your neighbor’s house, as long as it is not blocking their driveway.

Can you park in front of your neighbor’s house?

Unless a permit is required or other official signage on a street notes special parking requirements, it is legal to park on any public street. That includes in front of your neighbor’s house, as long as it is not blocking or less than five feet from their driveway.

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Can I sell my car from my yard?

As long as you keep the number of vehicles you sell from your yard to three personally-owned vehicles per year, it is legal. If you exceed that amount and don’t have a dealer’s license, you could be reported to the Nevada DMV.



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