Cadiz Inc., a California-based company, has secured federal approval to repurpose an existing oil pipeline to transport water across the Mojave Desert.

The Trump administration's Bureau of Land Management determined the project would not significantly impact the environment, allowing the company to proceed with converting 162 miles of pipeline for water transport.

This decision has drawn criticism from environmental advocates and Native tribes, who argue the plan threatens desert springs, wildlife habitats, and the sustainability of groundwater resources.

The project, which has faced legal challenges and opposition for years, involves building seven pump stations and a 30-inch steel pipeline from Cadiz's property near Amboy to Mojave.

Critics, including civil rights leader Dolores Huerta and tribal leaders, warn the plan could irreversibly harm the desert ecosystem and violate scientific warnings about groundwater depletion.The Biden administration previously reversed a Trump-era approval, but the project has continued to gain traction.Environmental groups like the Center for Biological Diversity have raised concerns about the impact on endangered species like the desert tortoise.

The plan also includes potential funding from the federal Bureau of Reclamation and agreements with Arizona water agencies, highlighting ongoing debates over water rights and environmental protection in the Southwest.