Attorneys for conservation and Indigenous rights groups filed an appeal Wednesday in the effort to stop an open-pit lithium-boron mine from being built on the only known habitat of an endangered wildflower. … The Western Shoshone Defense Project, who are represented in the appeal by the Western Mining Action Project, said the mine’s water use could also potentially dry out Cave Spring, a sacred site less than a mile from the proposed mine quarry. According to the project’s final environmental review, if Cave Spring is fed by groundwater the mine could potentially decrease the amount of water discharged from the spring.

Other water and mining news:

• E&E News by Politico: Groups appeal ruling that favors Nevada lithium mine
• Pahrump Valley Times (Pahrump, Nev.): First mining threats, now solar. Could a small town make Ash Meadows the next Red Rock?
• Center for Biological Diversity: News release: Trump administration greenlights controversial mining project on California desert lands
• The Land Desk: Blog: Trump cancels Pecos mining ban process