Enviros Seek To List Rare NV Springsnail As Endangered Due To Lithium Mine

"A group of conservationists are seeking to get a tiny rare Nevada springsnail listed as an endangered or threatened species, arguing that the species is threatened by a planned lithium mine in Thacker Pass.

The Western Watersheds Project petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list the rare Kings River pyrg under the Endangered Species Act. The pyrg is only known to live in 13 small isolated springs around Thacker Pass in Humboldt County, an area where Canada based Lithium Americas, plans to develop a lithium mine.

The mine secured federal approval early last year and has also secured a number of state permits required to begin construction of the project."

Jeniffer Solis reports for States Newsroom September 9, 2022.