Rare Nevada wildflower diminished by 40% in one weekend

[UngulateNerd92]

The remaining Tiehm’s buckwheat inhabits less than 20 acres near a proposed mine for lithium and boron.

In July, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service completed an initial status review of the Tiehm's buckwheat to determine if the wildflower should be considered for Endangered Species Act protection. The species will now undergo a full status review.

This story was originally published by the Guardian as part of their two-year series, This Land is Your Land, examining the threats facing America’s public lands, with support from the Society of Environmental Journalists, and is republished by permission.

Nestled among the slopes of Nevada’s Silver Peak Range are six patches of Tiehm’s buckwheat, a rare flowering plant found nowhere else in the world. Only an estimated 42,000 plants remain on 20 acres. But over the weekend of September 12, conservationists discovered that 40% of the total population had been destroyed.

Rare Nevada wildflower diminished by 40% in one weekend

 

[birdsandbats]

The endangered species listing process is simply too slow, nothing ever gets listed. Or worse, things go on the candidate list but never on the actual list, usually for political reasons.

 

[UngulateNerd92]

The endangered species listing process is simply too slow, nothing ever gets listed. Or worse, things go on the candidate list but never on the actual list, usually for political reasons.

Sadly, I would have to agree with your assessment. What are examples of species where this happened, going on the candidate list but never getting listed? Can you also share examples of political reasons you remember?

 

[birdsandbats]

Sage-grouse is an obvious answer, it won't go on the endangered species list because the oil lobby is too great.

 

[UngulateNerd92]

Sage-grouse is an obvious answer, it won't go on the endangered species list because the oil lobby is too great.

Yes that one definitely rings a bell! Quite unfortunate...