LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Buried against the fencing, several Joshua Trees appeared in the way of Nevada’s newest solar farm, and concerned residents are demanding to know why the bulldozing was allowed.

On Wednesday, Estuary Power announced they closed a $340 million financing package for its solar and storage project in the eastern Mojave Basin, located is eight miles north of Mesquite’s city center. The basin is also home to the specific Joshua Tree species, Yucca jaegeriana, according to a 2019 special assessment.

(KLAS)

One concerned resident, who did not want to be named, showed photos of the disruption of hundreds of acres of land. He explained, with more time, hundreds of Mesquite residents would have represented their shared concerns about the Joshua Trees.

“Even though it is private property, there’s 1000-year-old trees out here,” he said. “They’re just bulldozing with no regard.”

Nevada’s Joshua Trees bulldozed in Mesquite (KLAS)

Residents also expressed concerns about the demand on a nearby water aquifer which they said was shared by the town.

“The solar system is sitting on top of our aquifer for this town,” he said. “Who knows what those solar panels are going to do in five years, 10 years, 20 years down the road?”

James Stanfill, a Mesquite resident, said he shared the concerns of the others gathered and questioned how the site was chosen.

“I’d like to see better selection of sites for solar projects in the future that doesn’t have, you know, an endangered tree,” Stanfill said. “As far as I’m concerned, it’s in danger. You don’t see a whole lot of them in this state.”

The site is expected to supply power to MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, Overton Power District, and Wynn Las Vegas. Tesla Inc. is planned to supply and install the battery storage system for the property, according to an Estuary Power press release.

Endangered?

The two species of Joshua Tree, Yucca brevifolia and Yucca jaegerianaare not endangered, according to the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) told 8 News Now only the Yucca brevifolia is protected from unpermitted commercial harvest.

Nevada’s Joshua Trees bulldozed in Mesquite (KLAS)

“If the landowner or contractor with landowner’s permission is not commercially harvesting the plants and is only destroying them onsite, no tags or shipping permits are required,” Jenny Jackson, a DCNR spokesperson, wrote in a statement.

The Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness, near Searchlight, Nevada, does have protection on their over 900-year-old Joshua Trees, but no such protected areas exist near Mesquite.

“It’s kind of sad that they picked that particular piece of property that was loaded with Joshua trees to do this,” another concerned Mesquite resident said. “There won’t be any animal sightings any longer.”

The Desert Tortoise and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher were two endangered species recognized for the area of the solar farm development, according to a Nevada Department of Taxation document. However, a State of Nevada report indicated the habitats for both were not expected to be impacted.

Nevada’s Joshua Trees bulldozed in Mesquite (KLAS)

“I’d like some laws actually made so that they can be responsible about the habitat,” Stanfill said. “They can go out there and they can build, build around a tree.”

Estuary Power responded to an 8 News Now request for comment stating 2,000 of the 2,900 would remain a habitat for the wildlife.

“Estuary Power is constructing the Escape Solar project on 900 acres of a 2900 acre privately owned site in Lincoln County, Nevada.   Estuary and our contractors are using best-in-class construction methodologies designed to protect and conserve all federal and state protected species on our site, in compliance with law, our permits, and our respect for our environment and community.  We are also setting aside 2000 acres of private land as undisturbed habitat for all species.” -Estuary Power

Partial commercial operation of the solar facility is planned to be started by Dec. 2025, according to Governor’s Office of Energy documents



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