“Nevada Residents Rally Against Solar Farm That Bulldozed Joshua Trees
A $340 million solar farm project in Nevada’s Mojave Basin, owned by Estuary Power, has cleared a 900-acre site to make way for its operations, leaving many concerned and angry residents in its wake. The project has resulted in the destruction of several Joshua trees, some of which are the Yucca jaegeriana species, a type of succulent that is cherished for its ability to thrive in the desert environment.
Local residents are upset about the destruction of the trees, which are an important part of the desert ecosystem and provide habitat for various birds, mammals, and insects. They are also a symbol of the region’s history, having been named after the biblical figure Joshua by early Mormon settlers who believed they were guided by the plants’ outstretched “arms” on their journey west.
Estuary Power, however, insists that it is taking steps to protect wildlife in the area, setting aside 2,000 acres of private land as undisturbed habitat for all species. The company claims to be using “best-in-class construction methodologies designed to protect and conserve” federal and state protected species on its site, in compliance with the law, permits, and its respect for the environment and the community.
Residents, on the other hand, are calling for more careful selection of sites for future solar projects that do not impact endangered trees and wildlife. “I’d like to see better selection of sites for solar projects in the future that doesn’t have … an endangered tree,” said one resident, James Stanfill.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife recently released a plan to protect Joshua trees in the state, which are often threatened by wildfires, human development, and climate change.”