1) acid leaching some business don't agree with (Tesla's Elon Musk) 2) buckwheat
option 1 isn't really an issue if you correctly dispose of the waste so not sure why it would be poopooed by anyone. option 2 isn't an issue if you can propagate and grow the species.
Considering the population of the buckwheat has declined over the last 2 or so decades we have a plant that is on the verge of extinction. This extinction will be unavoidable without some form of human intervention and even with this, its not a certain outcome for Tiehm's.
Even if the plant species is listed as endangered. Will the US government relevant departments pay for this funding to support this plant species, while Ioneer packs their bags and heads on back to "straya"? I fail to see that Nevada has the funding to do so... Especially since Los Vegas hasnt got anywhere near the tourism and tax collection from these giant Casinos would have dropped off significantly since Covid. Donnelly would be pleased with this outcome. "Now Ioneer is an endangered species" he chucks to himself while sat around a fire out in Whoop Whoop. Off he would then run on another little adventure to the next project that lands on his desk.
But where does this leave Tiehm's? It just had 1 herbivory attack. But according to the Fisheries and Wildlife scenarios another wouldnt occur if we left it alone? Id love to see the science to support this given trending global temperature upwards.
Tiehm's needs Ioneer. They are the only ones who will provide adequate funding for the plant species to ensure further study and assess propagation etc. The project will allow for cameras to be installed not only for plant security but also mine site security. Fencing can be installed to stop rodents which would work better than the fish and wild lifes "Leave it alone" scenario as some protection is better than one. They maybe able to assess what rodents attack Tiehms and install some form of deterance device (spray fencing with feral cat urine - if its ground squirrels) or something similar.
If Ioneer doesnt get approved, they should then be following up the US departments on a number of aspects. 1) Ensuring Tiehm's gets the protections the government says it needs (that Ioneer somehow cant provide). 2) Ask how the government is going to fund said protection (seeing as Ioneer no longer is involved) and 3) Bring before the US departments ways to better improve permitting process.
Because to me the fact Ioneer was able to drill on land that had a plant species that was reviewed for endangered listing over 2 decades ago and no one picked it up until after the fact means someone hasnt done their job.
(20min delay)