US Agency Faces Lawsuit Over Endangered Owl

Conservation groups, the San Carlos Apache Tribe, and the Center for Biological Diversity have filed a notice of intent to sue the federal government over the alleged violation of the Endangered Species Act. This action concerns a copper exploration project greenlit by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on public land in Copper Creek Canyon, Arizona.

Advocates assert that the BLM ignored evidence of Mexican spotted owls, a threatened species, inhabiting the area. Trail camera footage captured by the Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance purportedly shows the elusive owls near the proposed exploration site. This canyon is adjacent to the Coronado National Forest and Galiuro Wilderness Area.

Furthermore, internal communications suggest the project's environmental review timeline was significantly expedited. Emails between the BLM and the Arizona Game and Fish Department indicate staff were under pressure to complete assessments within a compressed schedule, potentially limiting thorough review of wildlife impacts.

Faraday Copper's U.S. arm, Redhawk, plans to assess 1,324 acres for unmined copper deposits. The project involves 67 drill pads and could potentially impact local water resources and delicate ecosystems, including mesquite forests vital for wildlife movement and as a refuge during climate change.

Despite acknowledging potential short-term habitat quality decrease for species like the yellow-billed cuckoo, the BLM approved the project. The agency did not respond to requests for comment regarding the expedited timeline or the conservationists' claims.