Courtney Bourgoin, courtney.bourgoin@sierraclub.org
Las Vegas, NV-- Today, the US Forest Service issued their final Environmental Assessment on Nevada’s Ruby Mountains-- denying the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) request to offer parcels for leasing in the landscape. The decision comes after after an outpour of public opposition and restricts BLM from offering the sale of parcels in the Ruby Mountains for oil and gas development.
In response, Christian Gerlach of the Sierra Club’s Our Wild America campaign released the following statement:
“This decision marks a monumental win for our environment, Indigenous Nations and communities who reap the countless benefits of the Ruby Mountains. The Rubies are one of the most iconic and beloved landscapes in Nevada-- popular for recreation, critical for wildlife, and vital to nearby communities for their economic and environmental value. Today, we celebrate a significant step forward in stopping the encroachment of dirty fuels on this landscape for now and forever.
“This win is a direct result of the advocacy by the Te-Moak Tribe of the Western Shoshone, particularly the South Fork and Elko Bands, who worked tirelessly to defend their ancestral homelands. We applaud and thank the thousands of people who raised their voices to help save the Rubies from dirty fuels. We will continue working together to ensure this place remains protected permanently.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.