Court Blocks Harmful Mining Development in Mojave National Preserve

Court Blocks Harmful Mining Development in Mojave National Preserve

Emergency order granted to prevent further damage to national park

Contacts

Miranda Fox, Earthjustice, [email protected]

Caitlyn Burford, National Parks Conservation Association, [email protected], 541-371-6452

Today, a federal court ordered that new mining operations halt within Mojave National Preserve, effective immediately.

This preliminary injunction was granted to the National Parks Conservation Association, represented by Earthjustice, in National Parks Conservation Association v. Department of the Interior. The lawsuit was filed earlier this year challenging the Department of Interior's decision to allow an Australian company to proceed with industrial mining activities at Colosseum Mine within the national park site, in violation of federal laws that protect America's national parks from mining impacts.

The Colosseum Mine, previously decommissioned in 1993, is attempting to reopen with increased industrial development moving forward at the site in recent months. This activity has already caused documented irreparable damage to the national park landscape, with areas stripped of vegetation, new road construction and expansion, and public access restricted.

Today's court order stops further grading, new drilling activity, bulldozing of sensitive habitat, and road development. The injunction will remain in effect while the lawsuit continues.

Mojave National Preserve was established by Congress in 1994 and protects one of the largest desert preserves in the world. Covering 1.6 million acres of diverse desert habitat, the national park site is the third-largest unit of the National Park System in the contiguous United States.

Statement from Chance Wilcox, California Desert Associate Director at the National Parks Conservation Association:

"This is a win for the Mojave and everyone who believes our national parks aren't industrial mining zones. While the case moves forward, this order will stop the drilling and grading of this incredible landscape and help protect the preserve

Statement from Katrina Tomas, Earthjustice Attorney:

"This ruling ensures what the Trump administration has failed to do: protect our land for the public to access and enjoy. No further drilling and bulldozing of sensitive habitat can take place until we have our day in court."

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