FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JANUARY 14, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT: Mason Voehl, mason@amargosaconservancy.org, (507) 830-0238
Local Communities and Tribal Members Secure Win to Protect Ash Meadows and Amargosa Valley
A Critical First Step to Safeguard Sacred Lands and Water Resources
AMARGOSA VALLEY, NV — In a significant victory for rural communities, Tribal Nations, and conservationists, the federal government has officially initiated the mineral withdrawal process for approximately 308,890 acres of public land in Nevada’s Amargosa Valley. This action marks a pivotal moment in the locally-driven effort to protect one of Nevada’s most ecologically rich, economically vulnerable, and culturally significant regions from corporate mining.
By initiating this mineral withdrawal, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) temporarily pauses new mining claims in the area in order for local governments, tribes and all interested parties to comprehensively review the valley’s irreplaceable ecosystems, groundwater reserves, and sacred Indigenous landscapes so that any potential future mining in the region does not jeopardize the water supply needed for local residents, long-term economic development and the environment.The initial 2-year segregation from mining laws allows time for a review of a full 20-year withdrawal.
This action comes a year and a half after local residents discovered that an international mining company began staking claims surrounding local residents’ homes and Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, home to two dozen endemic species including the endangered Devils Hole pupfish, big game and waterfowl habitat, and recreational activities. After a lawsuit and massive public outcry, the mining company proposal was denied, and the campaign for a mineral withdrawal of the area was initiated by community members.
The mineral withdrawal has widespread bipartisan support from across the political spectrum. The Timbisha Shoshone Tribe exhibited strong support and leadership for this action. The Nye County Commission, Amargosa Valley Town Board, and Beatty Town Board all unanimously supported the withdrawal. The bipartisan Nevada Legislature Interim Natural Resources Committee endorsed the withdrawal. All of Nevada’s federal congressional delegation that represents this area requested that BLM act on this request by local governments and organizations.
In requesting action by the BLM, the Nye County Commission wrote that the scientific studies commissioned by The Nature Conservancy in Nevada “indicate significant, far-ranging, and conceivably catastrophic impacts to groundwater-dependent resources in the region resulting from dewatering activities required by mining projects.”
While this is an important first step, advocates emphasize that it is only the beginning, as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process—which includes public input and stakeholder engagement—will ultimately determine whether these lands receive the enhanced protections needed to safeguard their ecological, cultural, and economic integrity for future generations.
Commissioner Bruce Jabbour, Nye County Commissioner, District 1: issued the following statement:
“In Nye County, we have come together through a collaborative process with local communities, Tribal Nations, and conservation groups to protect and preserve Ash Meadows and its surrounding areas. This land is sacred, and its water resources are the lifeblood of our communities and economy. While we recognize exploratory rights under Nevada law, we must also prioritize the rights of the people of Amargosa, Beatty, Crystal, Timbisha Shoshone, Shoshone, and Tecopa—because water knows no boundaries. This water resource is vital to every living thing in this region and aspect of our economy; without it, we face the devastating prospect of more ghost towns. Protecting our water is not optional; it is essential to our survival.”
Carolyn Allen, Chair of the Amargosa Valley Town Board, issued the following statement:
“The people of Amargosa Valley are fighting for the very foundation of life in our community—our water. This is not a luxury; it is an absolute necessity. Today’s action by the federal government is a victory for common sense and for every family, farmer, and ecosystem that depends on this land. But make no mistake: this fight is far from over. We will remain vigilant until the protections we need are secured, and the threat of destruction is removed permanently.”
Erika Gerling, Chair of the Beatty Town Advisory Board, issued the following statement:
“The Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Land Management have a duty to protect and preserve these lands for current and future generations. It’s clear that past decisions allowing mining near Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge no longer serve the public good, and it’s time for the federal government to correct course. Ash Meadows is a rare and irreplaceable sanctuary, home to species found nowhere else on Earth, and it must be preserved at all costs. The Beatty Town Advisory Board fully supports the Amargosa Valley community and the Amargosa Conservancy in their efforts to halt exploratory drilling and secure a mineral withdrawal. Without water, the refuge, our communities, and our way of life cannot survive. Water is life, and it is our most valuable resource.”
Mandi Campbell, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer of the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe, issued the following statement:
“The lifeblood of our people, our culture, and our land flows through the waters of the Amargosa Valley. Our elders and families living on reservation lands in Death Valley rely to this day on the water of the Amargosa River that is under threat in this region. This is a fight for our identity, our sovereignty, and our survival. The Timbisha Shoshone Tribe will not stand by while the water that sustains our sacred traditions and future generations is stolen or poisoned. Today’s action is a crucial step forward, but we will not rest until these lands and waters are fully protected.”
Mason Voehl, Executive Director of the Amargosa Conservancy, issued the following statement:
“This is a pivotal moment in our shared fight to protect Ash Meadows, Death Valley, and the Amargosa Valley, but let’s be clear: this victory belongs to the people who call the valley home. They’ve shown us what true civic engagement looks like—organizing tirelessly, raising their voices, and standing up for the desert and for their families’ futures. Together, we’ve forged a powerful coalition of communities, Tribes, and advocates united by a shared commitment to safeguarding the Amargosa River and every form of life — people and pupfish alike — that depends on it. A debt of gratitude is owed our leaders in Congress — Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen, and Representatives Horsford, Lee, and Titus — for their avid support of this action that will protect Nevadans and wildlife for generations.”
###
About the Amargosa Conservancy: The Amargosa Conservancy is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Amargosa River and Basin through science, stewardship, and advocacy. We collaborate with government land managers, engage local communities, influence policy, manage invasive species, and protect key conservation areas. Our mission is to ensure a sustainable future for this vital ecosystem. For more information, visit amargosaconservancy.org.