Protecting Endangered Plant Species From Livestock Grazing Is the Focus of New Lawsuit

RENO, Nev. (775 Times, NV Globe) – To prevent cattle grazing on Tiehm’s Buckwheat, the Center for Biological Diversity has filed a new lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management.

They want to evict livestock from the buckwheat’s natural habitat.

“Tiehm’s buckwheat is one of North America’s most endangered plants, but federal officials are letting the livestock industry run roughshod over its fragile habitat,” said Patrick Donnelly, the Center’s Great Basin director.

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognized cattle grazing as a threat to the buckwheat’s existence, but the Bureau of Land Management has done nothing to protect these wildflowers,” he continued.

The lawsuit was started after seven cows were seen grazing in the plant’s habitat last week, the center claims, damaging specific species and deteriorating the environment as a whole.

The BLM said that the livestock had been taken out of the area last year.

“Each one of these plants is precious and essential for the recovery of this endangered species,” said Donnelly. “It’s totally unacceptable that the BLM is letting cows destroy this wildflower’s protected critical habitat while greenlighting a lithium mine that could wipe out the whole species. We’re going to court to hold this agency accountable for protecting each and every buckwheat.”

Credits: 8 News Now