Western Watersheds Project v. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Western Watersheds Project and People of Red Mountain filed a lawsuit in the federal district court for the District of Nevada to compel a 12-month finding under the Endangered Species Act as to whether listing of the Kings River pyrg as an endangered or threatened species was warranted. The complaint alleged that the pyrg is a “tiny endemic springsnail, … known to exist only in 13 small, shallow springs in two locations in Humboldt County, Nevada.” The complaint further alleged that the pyrg is highly vulnerable to threats including impacts associated with an approved lithium mine project, spring modification, drought, livestock grazing, and climate change.”