Government
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Save the Vole: Borehole Spring BLM Lawsuit Explained
In a legal battle aimed at protecting one of North America’s most endangered mammals, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) filed a lawsuit in 2022 against the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for failing to take necessary action to protect the Amargosa vole and its critical habitat at Borehole Spring in the Mojave Desert.…
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Fire Devastates Borehole Spring, Endangered Amargosa Vole Habitat
A devastating wildfire broke out at Borehole Spring near Tecopa, California, overnight on February 11, inflicting catastrophic damage to the hot spring which is also a delicate wetland habitat of the endangered and endemic Amargosa vole (Microtus californicus scirpensis). The fire consumed a significant area of critical bulrush habitat surrounding the spring, posing a severe…
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Inyo County Sheriff’s Office Will Not Enforce Federal Immigration Laws
The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release on January 30, ten days after the second presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, to reassure residents that enforcing federal immigration laws is not within their local law enforcement duties. Their primary focus, they emphasize, is safeguarding the community and fostering trust between law enforcement and the…
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Local Environmentalists Profiled in The New York Times Magazine
Our little corner of the world was covered in the New York Times Magazine recently. The article “Nevada’s Lithium Could Help Save the Earth. But What Happens to Nevada?” was published on January 24, 2025 and written by Meg Bernhard, a writer based in Las Vegas (who also wrote this profile of Wonderhussy). The sub-headline…
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What to do Before and After a Power Outage
A power pole caught fire near Death Valley Brewing, while another on Highway 127 emitted alarming sparks on Sunday morning, plunging Tecopa into its second 24-hour blackout in a week. The prolonged outage left residents grappling with yet another disruption to their daily lives. Recent windstorms across Southern California have caused widespread power outages, leaving…
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Local Communities and Tribal Members Secure Mineral Withdrawal to Protect Ash Meadows and Amargosa Valley
Federal Action to Safeguard Sacred Lands and Water Resources The federal government has initiated the mineral withdrawal process for approximately 308,890 acres of public land in Nevada’s Amargosa Valley. This action temporarily halts new mining claims in the area, allowing for a two-year review of the valley’s ecosystems, groundwater reserves, and culturally significant landscapes. The…
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Biden Establishes Two New Monuments in California, Foreshadowing Amargosa Basin
At one of the final White House ceremonies in President Joe Biden’s term, the president highlighted the dedication of the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla National Monuments as part of his administration’s broader environmental agenda. He underscored the significance of protecting culturally and ecologically valuable land in California, emphasizing its importance for biodiversity, climate resilience, and honoring…
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Commission Approves $7.8M Active Transportation Corridor Project for Tecopa
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has officially approved the Active Transportation Program staff recommendations for the Connecting Tecopa: Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Corridor project, a significant initiative aimed at improving transportation safety in the rural communities of Tecopa and Tecopa Hot Springs by establishing bicycle lanes and sidewalks. The approved project will establish a 2.9-mile active transportation…
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Residents Rejoice: State Route 127 To Reopen
Residents of Tecopa, Shoshone and businesses across the area rejoiced at the news that came in over email from Caltrans late last Friday evening: State Route 127 to Baker has a reopening date: December 4. The date is still technically tentative, as weather could still postpone it. The opening is also a partial one –…
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Guardians of the Desert: Southern Inyo Fire Protection District in Tecopa
In the vast expanse of the Mojave Desert, where arid landscapes meet the boundless sky, the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District (SIFPD) stands as a crucial guardian of the community in Tecopa, California. This dedicated team of firefighters not only safeguards lives and property but also plays a vital role in preserving the delicate balance…