How Trump’s Plan to Fast-Track Mining Projects Could Threaten Water Access

Wyatt Myskow stated at the 2025 Society of Environmental Journalists conference in Tempe that the relaxed mining rules implemented during the Trump administration could restrict availability to crucial drinking water for sustaining life.

According to the updated regulations, the environmental permit approval period for exploratory drilling has been reduced to 28 days from what used to be several months. The panel members cautioned that this timeframe may not allow sufficient opportunity for mining firms to adequately assess the availability of water resources.

At the Hualapai tribal lands, a test drilling for lithium extraction halted the waterflow from a nearby sacred spring in August. The tribe has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and the legal proceedings are still underway.

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It was a typical dispute over water rights, rooted in the longstanding "first come, first served" principle of Western water regulations.

What is the functioning of Western water policies like?

Water policies aim at ensuring both the purity and availability of water.

Alida Cantor, an associate professor of Geography at Portland State University, explained that quality pertains to the cleanliness of the water concerning local contaminants, whereas quantity is managed at the state level and relates to water rights issues.

Without water rights, developers have the ability to construct significant structures such as mines, according to Cantor.

These rights are established by Western water law through its "Prior Appropriation Doctrine," she explained, noting that this doctrine overlooks the water requirements of Native peoples.

Both domains of water policy shape the energy and mining sectors.

The impact of Western water policies on growth and development

Kyle Roerink, the executive director of Great Basin Network, explained how Western water laws can make water accessibility complex and determine its usage rights.

According to Nevada water legislation, firms planning to initiate development projects must consider the accessibility of water resources and ensure that their proposals are environmentally responsible, he explained.

Occasionally, the amount of water found on printed pages exceeds what's present in underground aquifers.

"When a business encounters a paper water right, their aim is to utilize it and derive profits from it," stated Roerink.

That might end up leaving everyone else who requires the water in a difficult situation.

What are the potential outcomes of Trump's energy plan?

Roerink operates across Nevada and Utah, providing education, engaging in litigation, and advocating for policies related to groundwater and surface water.

As part of the new administration's initiative to achieve American energy independence through increased mining and drilling activities, environmental impact assessments conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) now undergo processing within 28 days and include a public commentary phase lasting for 10 days.

Traditionally, NEPA assessments mandated a minimum of 45 days for the public to examine and provide feedback. Frequently, these reviews would extend over several months.

Projects must adhere to specific regulations, such as the Clean Water Act. Both applicants and federal regulators require sufficient time to conduct simulations and consult with specialists to guarantee that the proposals cause minimal environmental harm.

What impact will Trump's modifications to water policies have on Indigenous territories?

Daryn Melvin, who belongs to the Hopi Tribe and works as the Grand Canyon manager for the Grand Canyon Trust, believes that water holds spiritual significance.

He mentions that the Hopi people are concerned that development on their territory might change the course of water and adversely affect the creatures living close to aquifers or springs.

As the federal government accelerates the approval process for mining initiatives, tribes have begun strengthening the conditions they impose before agreeing to projects located close to their reservations.

"If something were to occur, we'd have these measures in place to make sure everything is thoroughly checked off," Melvin stated.

Arilynn Hyatt, a junior majoring in journalism at the University of Arizona, works as part of a student newsroom under The Arizona Republic’s guidance.

The coverage of the Society of Environmental Journalists conference is being sponsored by Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, the University of Arizona, and the Arizona Media Association.

These tales are released under an open-source license, allowing other news platforms and entities to freely distribute and reprint them, provided they include attribution and hyperlink back to azcentral.com.

The article initially appeared in the Arizona Republic. How Trump's strategy to expedite mining initiatives might impede water accessibility

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