A federal judge temporarily stopped exploratory lithium drilling in Arizona after the Hualapai Tribe argued it would harm sacred lands.
Scott Sonner reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- The Hualapai Tribe and environmental groups sued to stop drilling near sacred springs in northwestern Arizona.
- The tribe argues the Bureau of Land Management's approval violated laws protecting historic and cultural sites.
- A hearing on a longer-term injunction is scheduled for September 17 in Phoenix.
Key quote:
“Like other tribal nations who for centuries have stewarded the lands across this country, the Hualapai people are under siege by mining interests trying to make a buck off destroying their cultural heritage.”
— Laura Berglan, Earthjustice lawyer
Why this matters:
The case highlights the conflict between green energy initiatives and the preservation of Indigenous cultural sites, raising questions about the balance between environmental progress and respecting sacred lands.
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