Lithium mining near Canyonlands National Park back open for public comment

Lithium, considered critical for a greener economy, is used in products like rechargeable batteries, computers and electronic vehicles. Companies around the world are staking claims in potentially lithium-rich areas, including lands near Canyonlands National Park. After additional environmental analysis, the BLM has reopened such a proposal for public comment. Plus, to test their designs, competitive robotics students recently traveled to a ‘Mars analogue’ – also known as southern Utah. And later, the Colorado Pika Project is studying how climate change impacts these small, hamster-like animals.

// Show Notes:

// Photo: A view from a potential lithium mining site near Canyonlands National Park. From the BLM’s Visual Assessment document.

// BLM NEPA Public Register
https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2014014/570

// Mars is the goal, but first, these students must conquer Utah’s red desert
https://www.kuer.org/health-science-environment/2023-06-15/byu-mars-university-rover-challenge-utah-desert

// Colorado Pika Project
https://pikapartners.org/