Draining the Swamp and the Desert

Last month President Trump’s Bureau of Land Management decided to reverse course on a 2011 decision and greenlight a project that would allow construction of a 43-mile pipeline through Mojave Trails National Monument, enabling a company to pump massive amounts of groundwater out of ancient desert aquifers without any environmental review. This is illegal and irresponsible and today, we’re (EarthJustice.org) taking them to court. This is where to go to see the area of concern: https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/california/mojave-trails-national-monument. It is comprised of a stunning mosaic of rugged mountain ranges, ancient lava flows, and spectacular sand dunes. Mojave Trails National Monument protects irreplaceable historic resources including ancient Native American trading routes, World War II-era training camps, and the longest remaining undeveloped stretch of Route 66. Additionally, the area has been a focus of study and research for decades, including geological research and ecological studies on the effects of climate change and land management practices on ecological communities and wildlife.

This is just one of many examples of the Trump administration putting private interests before the public good. Daunting as it may seem, we must keep fighting back—there’s simply too much at stake. These lands belong to us, the taxpayers, not private interests