Conservationists, Sportsmen Protest Sage-Grouse Killing Transmission Line Along Nevada’s ‘Loneliest Road’ – Center for Biological Diversity

Report on the Greenlink North Energy Transmission Project and Its Impact on Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat in Nevada

Introduction

Conservation and sportsmen’s groups have formally protested the federal government’s advancement of the Greenlink North energy transmission project, which threatens to destroy tens of thousands of acres of greater sage-grouse habitat in central Nevada. This report emphasizes the project’s implications in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning life on land, sustainable communities, and responsible consumption and production.

Project Overview and Environmental Concerns

• The Greenlink North transmission line will span 235 miles along Nevada’s Highway 50, known as the “Loneliest Road in America.”
• The project will disturb or destroy numerous mating grounds (“leks”) of the imperiled greater sage-grouse.
• The transmission line will permanently alter one of the most isolated and remote landscapes in the contiguous United States.

Stakeholder Opposition and Legal Protest

1. The protest was filed by multiple organizations including:
   • Center for Biological Diversity
   • Friends of Nevada Wilderness
   • Nevada Wildlife Federation
   • Coalition for Nevada’s Wildlife
   • Nevada Bighorns Unlimited
   • Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
2. The groups argue that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) failed to adhere to its own sage-grouse conservation plans in issuing the final proposed plan for the project.
3. Specifically, the BLM’s 2015 sage-grouse management plans prohibit new transmission infrastructure in essential habitats where sage-grouse populations are declining, yet these plans are being amended to permit Greenlink North.

Ecological Importance of Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat

• Greater sage-grouse are highly sensitive to habitat disturbance and fragmentation due to their loyalty to specific areas and dependence on large expanses of intact sagebrush.
• Critical habitat requirements include:
  • Vegetation cover and nutrition for chick rearing
  • Unaltered mating grounds (“leks”) for reproduction
  • Healthy winter habitat for survival during cold seasons
• The Nevada stretch of Highway 50 is a largely untouched desert landscape, home to diverse wildlife including mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, golden eagles, pygmy rabbits, and burrowing owls.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Protecting the greater sage-grouse habitat aligns with conserving terrestrial ecosystems and halting biodiversity loss.
   • The protest highlights the need to prevent habitat destruction and maintain ecological integrity.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Ensuring that infrastructure development respects natural habitats supports sustainable community planning.
   • The call for alternative transmission routes reflects the importance of integrating environmental considerations into infrastructure projects.
3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Developing energy infrastructure responsibly includes minimizing environmental impact and considering long-term sustainability.
   • The protest urges the use of existing infrastructure and science-based planning to reduce ecological harm.

Economic and Community Considerations

• The transmission project is estimated to cost NV Energy ratepayers approximately $2 billion.
• Stakeholders advocate for alternative routes along Interstate 80 in northern Nevada, which is a more developed corridor with existing transmission infrastructure, thereby limiting environmental damage.
• Local communities, including hunters and anglers, emphasize the importance of incorporating their input and preserving the “wildness” of central Nevada.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The Greenlink North energy transmission project presents significant risks to the greater sage-grouse and the broader ecosystem of central Nevada. In alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, it is recommended that:

1. The Bureau of Land Management adhere strictly to existing conservation plans to protect critical habitats (SDG 15).
2. Alternative transmission routes that minimize ecological disruption be thoroughly evaluated and prioritized (SDG 11).
3. Stakeholder engagement, including local communities and conservation groups, be enhanced to ensure transparent and responsible decision-making (SDG 12).

These measures will contribute to sustainable development by balancing energy infrastructure needs with biodiversity conservation and community well-being.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article focuses on the conservation of greater sage-grouse habitat and other wildlife, which directly relates to protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The Greenlink North energy transmission project relates to energy infrastructure development and modernization.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • While not explicitly mentioned, the article’s focus on sustainable land use and energy infrastructure implies relevance to climate action through ecosystem preservation and responsible energy development.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The discussion about infrastructure planning and community involvement touches on sustainable development of infrastructure and inclusive decision-making.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified in the Article

1. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity.
2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • Target 7.a: Enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress

1. SDG 15 Indicators
   • Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area (implied by habitat conservation efforts).
   • Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index (implied through the focus on imperiled greater sage-grouse and other species).
   • Habitat fragmentation and area of intact sagebrush ecosystems (implied by concerns about transmission line impacts).
2. SDG 7 Indicators
   • Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption (implied by the energy transmission project).
   • Cost and efficiency of energy transmission infrastructure (implied by the $2 billion estimated cost and discussion of alternatives).
3. SDG 11 Indicators
   • Indicator 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate (implied by concerns about land use and infrastructure planning).
   • Community participation in infrastructure decisions (implied by calls for listening to local communities and stakeholders).
4. SDG 13 Indicators
   • Indicator 13.1.2: Number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies (implied by the need for sustainable planning to reduce ecological risks).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: biologicaldiversity.org