Native Tribes and Environmentalists Sue BLM Over Mojave Pipeline Approval
Two lawsuits challenge BLM's approval of Cadiz pipeline conversion in the Mojave Desert.
Why it matters: These lawsuits highlight critical conflicts over tribal land rights and environmental protections tied to federal land management. Legal professionals must track this intersection of regulatory, environmental, and tribal law.
- BLM approved Cadiz Inc.'s 220-mile pipeline conversion on July 10, 2026.
- Pipeline will carry up to 25,000 acre-feet of water annually for 50 years under BLM grant.
- Fort Mojave and Chemehuevi tribes plus environmental groups filed suits opposing project.
- Concerns focus on groundwater depletion, harm to sacred lands, and Mojave Desert ecosystems.
On July 10, 2026, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) granted Cadiz Inc. a right-of-way permit to convert a 220-mile former natural gas pipeline in California's Mojave Desert into a water conveyance system. The project, known as the Cadiz Northern Pipeline, is designed to transport up to 25,000 acre-feet of water annually from the Mojave Groundwater Bank to local communities in San Bernardino County. The permit allows operation across BLM-managed lands for up to 50 years under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act.
Cadiz acquired the pipeline from El Paso Natural Gas in 2020 and formed the Fenner Gap Mutual Water Company to manage operations. The Mojave Groundwater Bank, developed with the Lytton Rancheria of California, lies within the Fenner Valley Aquifer System, a critical water source in the eastern Mojave.
Despite the project's water supply agreements with utilities, the approval has sparked strong opposition. Several Native American tribes—including the Fort Mojave and Chemehuevi tribes—have filed lawsuits challenging the BLM's permit, citing threats to sacred tribal lands. Environmental groups, led by the National Parks Conservation Association, warn the pipeline risks draining desert groundwater, damaging rare springs, and harming wildlife habitats.
"This groundwater mining proposal would drain the desert and rob the Mojave of its rare springs and wildlife habitat," said Chance Wilcox, California Desert Associate Director at the NPCA. Cadiz Chair and CEO Susan Kennedy responded, "After many years of planning and environmental review, the project is now ready to begin the construction stage." The legal challenges intensify the broader debate over federal land use, tribal sovereignty, and environmental stewardship in the region.
By the numbers:
- 220 miles — length of Cadiz Northern Pipeline
- 25,000 acre-feet — annual water delivery capacity
- 50 years — BLM right-of-way grant duration
- July 10, 2026 — BLM approval date for pipeline conversion
Yes, but: Details on the environmental impact reviews and specific legal arguments in the lawsuits remain unclear, leaving the full scope of the conflict to unfold in court.
What's next: Legal proceedings are expected to progress as the plaintiffs seek to block or modify the pipeline project amid ongoing federal and tribal negotiations.