FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 12, 2024

Contact:

Paul Ruprecht, Western Watersheds Project, (208) 421-4637, paul@westernwatersheds.org

People of Red Mountain, Peopleofredmountian@gmail.com, PeopleOfRedMountain.com

Conservation Groups File Notice to Sue U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Over Failure to Protect Endangered Springsnail

Lawsuit Aims to Safeguard Kings River Pyrg from Imminent Threats, Including Thacker Pass Lithium Mine

Reno, NV— Western Watersheds Project and People of Red Mountain (Atsa Koodakuh wyh Nuwu) have officially provided a notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for its failure to protect the Kings River pyrg (Pyrgulopsis imperialis) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This extremely rare springsnail is facing severe threats from habitat degradation and the Thacker Pass Lithium Mine in northern Nevada. The FWS has unlawfully delayed its decision on whether to provide protection for the Kings River pyrg and missed the deadline for the required 12-month finding on Western Watersheds Project’s petition.

“The Kings River pyrg lives only in a few shallow, groundwater-dependent springs. Even slight disruptions to its habitat could cause springs to run dry, driving it to extinction,” said Paul Ruprecht, Nevada Director for Western Watersheds Project. “By delaying the listing decision, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is shirking its legal duty to protect this critically imperiled species. If we lose these springs, we lose the pyrg forever.”

The Kings River pyrg’s known range is limited to just 13 small springs within a 14-mile radius in Humboldt County, near Peehee Mu’huh (Thacker Pass), a region of deep cultural significance. Sacred to Indigenous communities, this area was the site of an 1865 massacre of at least 31 Paiutes. Today, it faces new threats from industrial development, with the lithium mine endangering both the cultural landscape and the fragile ecosystem that sustains the pyrg and other species, including the greater sage grouse and Lahontan cutthroat trout. The purpose of this lithium mine is to provide feedstock for electric car batteries; General Motors Corporation has entered into a joint venture with Lithium Americas, contributing $625 million to finance the project, while the Biden administration has approved a $2.26 billion loan from the Department of Energy to fund the mining. The mine’s operations threaten to deplete and contaminate the water sources critical to the springsnail’s survival. Heavy livestock use around the springs further degrades habitat for the King’s River pyrg.

Recent technical expert analysis of the groundwater system affecting snails’ habitat confirms that groundwater levels have dropped by up to 4.9 feet, which likely indicates a decline in spring flows.  Conservation groups have requested the FWS to investigate further the impacts this drawdown is having on Kings River pyrg-occupied springs and whether the drawdown is being caused by the Thacker Pass Lithium Mine’s operations including drilling and other activities.

“The Kings River Pyrg is small yet mighty. As stewards of the land, we need to ensure the pyrg and its habitat are healthy and intact. The pyrg is another species in the area to be endangered and many will follow if we don’t act now. As we have cultural responsibility to speak for those who cannot,” said People of Red Mountain.

The urgency of the situation is further highlighted by General Motors’ recent $625 million investment to support the development, construction, and operation of the Thacker Pass Lithium Mine. The convergence of corporate interests and bureaucratic delays has triggered this legal action to ensure that species protections are not neglected.

“By filing this notice of intent, we are taking a stand to prevent the Kings River pyrg from becoming a casualty of bureaucratic inaction and corporate greed,” said Jaimie Park, 9th Circuit Attorney for Western Watersheds Project. “We are committed to fighting for the survival of this species and ensuring that our public lands, water resources, and cultural heritage are not sacrificed for profit.”

Western Watersheds Project initially petitioned to list the Kings River pyrg under the ESA in 2022, with People of Red Mountain joining in submitting public comments during the status review. Today’s notice of intent is a crucial step toward ensuring that the species receives the protections it urgently needs.