top up time, page-62

Tiehm's buckwheat population hasnt been nor will be wiped out by INR per CBD media release. They may destroy a large section of the population but not "wipe it out". Considering they have entered into a CCA I would think they would have the best intensions for the plant in mind.

Up until the Herbivore event last year Tiehms population and area increased per SSA sighting. The population was only recently Jeopardized by a rare-one off unforeseen event. This was not due to INR or any prior drilling activity at site. It actually wiped out UNR research funded by Ioneer at the same time.

INR have put in a CCA with FWS which may stop ESA listing.
In the event the plant is listed in Sept, INR could then put in a incidental take permit with FWS which may allow mining to proceed.

FWS - SSA appears to highlight that the single largest threats which is obvious to all parties involved was climate change which indirectly appears to have lead to the herbivore activity - via drought. Mining though a threat was considered a lower risk. Considering that if INR pack up and leave and no conservation effort occurs in the future. What do you think will happen to the plant?

Per SSA



"3.2 Conservation Measures and Regulatory Mechanisms
BLM
As described in Section 1.4.2, Eriogonum tiehmii is a BLM sensitive species (BLM 2008, pp. 1–
48). The stated objective for sensitive species is to initiate proactive conservation measures that
reduce or eliminate threats to minimize the likelihood of and need for listing the species under
the Act (BLM 2008, entire). However, BLM’s regulations do not allow the agency to require
conservation measures for sensitive species as a condition of exploring for or developing
minerals subject to disposal under the Mining Law. Rather, the BLM’s regulations require
operators to avoid adverse effects to species listed as threatened or endangered and critical
habitat (43 CFR § 3809.420(b)(7)). Additionally, no areas occupied by E. tiehmii have been
withdrawn from mineral entry. Because the lands in the Rhyolite Ridge remain open to the
operation of the Mining Law, and because miners are not required to obtain prior approval from
BLM before they stake or “locate” a mining claim, the BLM has no ability to prevent any surface
impacts related to the placement of mining claim monuments. Only areas that have been
“withdrawn” to mineral entry by Congress, or public land order are truly closed to mineral entry."


Source:
200009 (fws.gov)


If you consider all the above. If INR are doing all things necessary and that are lawful its unlikely this mine project wont proceed. Lets hope Ioneer and all parties can improve the buckwheat situation.