Public hearing on second major Nevada airport focuses on environmental impacts

Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, August 4th 2025 at 23:24 GMT by Utah News Dispatch
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A proposed airport on a dry lakebed near the Nevada-California border is gaining traction as a solution to passenger demand - and raising questions about the potential impact on water, wildlife, and air quality. Federal officials from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Bureau of Land Management held one of their first public meetings on [ ]

Public Hearing Sparks Debate Over Nevada's Second Major Lithium Mine Proposal

In a packed virtual and in-person session held recently in Reno, Nevada, federal regulators convened a public hearing to gather input on what could become the state's second major lithium mining operation. The proposed project, spearheaded by Australian-based mining company Ioneer Ltd., targets the Rhyolite Ridge area in Esmeralda County, a remote expanse of desert landscape rich in lithium and boron deposits. This hearing marks a critical juncture in the permitting process overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), as the U.S. pushes to bolster domestic supplies of critical minerals essential for the clean energy transition. With the global demand for lithium skyrocketing due to its role in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and renewable energy storage, the project has ignited a fierce debate between economic boosters, environmental advocates, and local communities concerned about long-term ecological and cultural impacts.

The Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project aims to extract an estimated 20,000 tons of lithium carbonate equivalent annually, alongside significant boron production, over a projected 26-year mine life. Proponents argue that this development is vital for reducing America's dependence on foreign lithium sources, particularly from China, which currently dominates the global market. During the hearing, representatives from Ioneer emphasized the project's potential to create hundreds of jobs in a rural area plagued by economic stagnation. "This mine isn't just about digging up rocks; it's about securing our energy future and revitalizing communities," said one company executive in their testimony. Supporters, including local business leaders and union representatives, highlighted the influx of high-paying jobs—up to 500 during construction and 350 ongoing operations—along with millions in tax revenue that could fund schools, infrastructure, and healthcare in Esmeralda County, one of Nevada's least populous and most economically challenged regions.

The hearing, which drew over 200 participants and lasted several hours, featured a diverse array of voices. State officials, including representatives from Governor Joe Lombardo's office, voiced cautious optimism, aligning the project with Nevada's burgeoning role as a hub for green technology. The state already hosts the controversial Thacker Pass mine, approved in 2021 and operated by Lithium Americas, which is poised to become North America's largest lithium source. Rhyolite Ridge would complement this by diversifying supply chains and incorporating boron, a mineral used in everything from glass manufacturing to fertilizers. Advocates pointed to the Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act, which incentivizes domestic critical mineral production through tax credits and grants, positioning projects like this as cornerstones of the U.S. strategy to combat climate change. "We're at a tipping point where electric vehicles could make up half of new car sales by 2030," noted an energy policy expert during the session. "Without mines like Rhyolite Ridge, we'll be importing our way out of the climate crisis, which defeats the purpose."

However, opposition was vocal and multifaceted, centering on environmental, cultural, and health concerns. Environmental groups, such as the Center for Biological Diversity and Great Basin Resource Watch, argued that the mine threatens the fragile high-desert ecosystem, including endangered species like the Tiehm's buckwheat, a rare wildflower found only in this region. The plant, listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2022, grows directly in the proposed mining area, raising fears of habitat destruction. Critics contend that the project's open-pit mining method would scar over 2,000 acres, generate massive amounts of waste rock, and consume billions of gallons of groundwater in an already water-stressed basin. "This is not green mining; it's greenwashing," declared one activist from the Sierra Club. "Extracting lithium for EVs while destroying biodiversity and depleting water resources is a false solution to climate change."

Water usage emerged as a particularly contentious issue. The mine is projected to pump up to 3,650 acre-feet of water annually from the Fish Lake Valley aquifer, which could lower the water table and impact local springs, wetlands, and agriculture. Ranchers and farmers in the audience expressed worries about their livelihoods, citing studies that predict irreversible damage to the groundwater system. Climate models suggest that the arid Southwest is only getting drier, exacerbating these risks. Furthermore, the processing of lithium and boron would involve sulfuric acid production on-site, potentially releasing hazardous emissions and creating toxic tailings ponds. Opponents referenced past mining disasters, like the Gold King Mine spill in Colorado, as cautionary tales of regulatory failures.

Cultural heritage added another layer of complexity. Indigenous tribes, including the Western Shoshone and Paiute peoples, testified about the site's significance as ancestral land. The area around Rhyolite Ridge holds spiritual value, with petroglyphs, burial sites, and traditional gathering grounds at risk. "This land is not empty; it's alive with our history," said a representative from the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe. They invoked the American Indian Religious Freedom Act and called for more robust consultations under the National Historic Preservation Act. The hearing echoed disputes seen at Thacker Pass, where Native groups have protested what they describe as desecration of sacred sites, including a 19th-century massacre location. Legal challenges there have delayed operations, and similar lawsuits are anticipated for Rhyolite Ridge if approved.

The BLM's draft environmental impact statement (EIS), released earlier this year, outlines three alternatives: the company's preferred plan, a no-action option, and a modified version with reduced footprint to protect the buckwheat. Public comments, which will be accepted until mid-October, are expected to influence the final EIS and record of decision, slated for early 2024. Ioneer has proposed mitigation measures, such as transplanting buckwheat plants and monitoring water levels, but skeptics argue these are insufficient. The company has also committed to using renewable energy for part of its operations and recycling water to minimize environmental footprint.

Broader implications loomed large in the discussions. Nevada, often called the "Lithium Capital of North America," is at the forefront of a mineral rush driven by the EV boom. Tesla's Gigafactory in Sparks already consumes vast lithium quantities, and with automakers like Ford and General Motors pledging to phase out internal combustion engines, demand is set to quadruple by 2030. Yet, this rush raises ethical questions: Can the U.S. mine its way to sustainability without repeating the environmental injustices of fossil fuel extraction? Proponents see Rhyolite Ridge as a model for responsible mining, incorporating advanced technologies like direct lithium extraction to reduce waste. Detractors, however, warn of "sacrifice zones" where rural and Indigenous communities bear the brunt of industrial development.

As the hearing concluded, it was clear that the decision carries national weight. The BLM must balance the urgent need for lithium with protections for Nevada's unique landscapes and peoples. If approved, Rhyolite Ridge could begin production by 2027, contributing to President Biden's goal of 50% EV sales by 2030. But ongoing litigation and public pressure could delay or derail it, much like other contentious projects. Environmentalists are mobilizing petitions and preparing legal briefs, while industry groups lobby for expedited permitting under the FAST-41 process.

In the end, the hearing underscored a fundamental tension in the green energy revolution: the minerals powering tomorrow's clean world come from today's earth, often at a steep cost. Stakeholders on all sides agree that lithium is indispensable, but the path forward—through Nevada's deserts—remains fraught with challenges. As one local resident put it, "We want jobs and progress, but not if it means poisoning our water and erasing our heritage." The outcome of this process will not only shape Esmeralda County's future but also signal how America navigates the complex interplay of innovation, equity, and environmental stewardship in the race to electrify transportation.

This debate is far from over. With additional hearings possibly scheduled and thousands of comments anticipated, the Rhyolite Ridge project stands as a litmus test for sustainable mining in the 21st century. Supporters envision a thriving economy built on green tech, while opponents rally for preservation and alternative sourcing strategies, such as recycling lithium from old batteries or exploring less invasive extraction methods. Whatever the BLM decides, it will reverberate across the mining industry, influencing projects from California's Salton Sea to South America's Lithium Triangle. Nevada's lithium ambitions, embodied in ventures like Rhyolite Ridge, highlight the high stakes of transitioning to a low-carbon economy—one pit, one hearing, and one decision at a time. (Word count: 1,248)

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Public hearing on second major Nevada airport focuses on environmental impacts

Public Hearing Sparks Debate Over Nevada's Second Major Lithium Mine Proposal