Environmentalists are preparing to take legal action against U.S. wildlife officials in an ongoing battle with the Biden administration over a Nevada lithium mine. The Western Watersheds Project has accused the government of failing to list the Kings River pyrg, a small snail that resides near the proposed Thacker Pass Mine, as a threatened or endangered species. The group argues that this failure could lead to the snail's extinction as it is only known to exist in 13 shallow springs near the mine site.

President Joe Biden has prioritized the domestic production of lithium as part of his plan for a greener future, with global demand for the element projected to increase six-fold by 2030. However, conservationists and tribes have previously filed lawsuits against the Bureau of Land Management, claiming that regulatory shortcuts were taken to expedite the approval of the mine in 2021. Now, the focus of the legal battle has shifted to the Fish and Wildlife Service, responsible for protecting the habitat surrounding the mine.

The Western Watersheds Project argues that groundwater pumping associated with the mine's operations will reduce or eliminate flows to the springs, endangering the snails. In a formal notice of intent to sue sent to Interior Secretary Deborah Haaland, the group claims that the agency's failure to make a 12-month finding on the listing petition is a violation of the Endangered Species Act. They raise concerns that the Biden administration may be delaying a decision to avoid disrupting the construction of the lithium mine.

The snails were already at risk of extinction due to factors such as livestock grazing, development, and climate change impacts. The species currently lacks regulatory protection, making it even more vulnerable. The opponents of the mine project achieved a partial victory last year when a district judge concluded that the Bureau of Land Management had not fully complied with mining laws. However, construction was allowed to proceed while waste rock disposal plans were revised. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the judge's ruling in July.

The Kings River pyrg is a tiny snail with a shell less than 2 millimeters tall. It has survived in isolated springs that were once part of larger waterways over the past 2 million years. Climate change and increased drought frequency pose a significant risk to the species. The Western Watersheds Project argues that urgent action is necessary to prevent the snails' extinction.

Lithium Americas, the company behind the Thacker Pass Mine, has stated that it has taken extensive measures to avoid impacting the springs. The Bureau of Land Management's environmental review did not detect any snails within the project's footprint or areas likely to be affected. However, environmentalists remain concerned about the long-term consequences and are pushing for the listing of the snails as a threatened or endangered species. The outcome of the legal battle will have implications for both the future of the Thacker Pass Mine and the conservation of the Kings River pyrg.