President Joe Biden’s administration has taken a significant step in environmental conservation by submitting an application to withdraw federal lands in northeastern Nevada’s Ruby Mountains from oil, gas, and geothermal development for 20 years. This move comes as a response to requests from Native American tribes, conservationists, hunters, and anglers who are concerned about the impact of such activities on the region.
The 264,000 acres of land will be protected from leasing during a 90-day public comment period, with mining being the only allowed activity. While this decision has been praised by environmental advocates, concerns remain about the possibility of gold mining in the area, which is still permitted.
According to Patrick Donnelly, Great Basin director at the Center for Biological Diversity, the protection of the Ruby Mountains is incomplete until all forms of mining are prohibited. The U.S. Forest Service had previously determined that oil and gas leasing was inappropriate in the region in 2019.
This move is seen as a direct opposition to the energy exploration policies of former President Donald Trump, who aimed to increase oil and gas production across the west. The Biden administration’s focus on protecting the environment and addressing climate change is evident in this decision to safeguard the Ruby Mountains for the next two decades.
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