Case: Center for Biological Diversity v. U.S. Bureau of Land Management

2:26-cv-08287 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Filed Date: July 28, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

[This summary is temporary while we research this case.]

This case challenges the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) approval of a right-of-way to convert an unused oil-and-gas pipeline into a water pipeline across Mojave Trails National Monument and other protected lands. Plaintiffs allege that BLM inadequately assessed groundwater depletion, drying springs, habitat damage, and air pollution, in violation of federal environmental and public-land laws. They seek to vacate the approval and halt activities under the right-of-way pending compliance.

Summary Authors

Eliza Kreske (10/2/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73680440/parties/center-for-biological-diversity-v-us-bureau-of-land-management/

Judge(s)

Wu, George H. (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Belenky, Lisa T (California)

Forsyth, Elizabeth Britta (California)

Loarie, Gregory Cahill (California)

Prabhala, Aruna (California)

Judge(s)

Wu, George H. (California)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Belenky, Lisa T (California)

Forsyth, Elizabeth Britta (California)

Loarie, Gregory Cahill (California)

Prabhala, Aruna (California)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 2:26-cv-08287	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief Center for Biological Diversity et al. v. U.S. Bureau of Land Management et al.	July 28, 2026	July 28, 2026 Complaint

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73680440/center-for-biological-diversity-v-us-bureau-of-land-management/

Last updated Oct. 25, 2026, 3:18 a.m.

Docket for: Center for Biological Diversity v. U.S. Bureau of Land Management

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	July 28, 2026	COMPLAINT Receipt No: ACACDC-42896142 - Fee: $405, filed by Plaintiffs Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity. (Attorney Elizabeth Britta Forsyth added to party Center for Biological Diversity(pty:pla), Attorney Elizabeth Britta Forsyth added to party Sierra Club(pty:pla))(Forsyth, Elizabeth) (Entered: 07/28/2026)	Clearinghouse
2	July 28, 2026	CIVIL COVER SHEET filed by Plaintiffs Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club. (Forsyth, Elizabeth) (Entered: 07/28/2026)	RECAP
3	July 28, 2026	Request for Clerk to Issue Summons on Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening), 1 filed by Plaintiffs Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club. (Forsyth, Elizabeth) (Entered: 07/28/2026)	RECAP
4	July 28, 2026	NOTICE of Interested Parties filed by Plaintiffs Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, identifying None. (Forsyth, Elizabeth) (Entered: 07/28/2026)	RECAP
5	July 28, 2026	NOTICE of Related Case(s) filed by Plaintiffs Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club. Related Case(s): 5:26-cv-4206-JGB-ACCV, 2:21-cv-02507-GW-AS, 5:21-cv-00496-GW-AS, 2:17-cv-08587-GW-AS, 2:18-cv-06775-GW-AS (Loarie, Gregory) (Entered: 07/28/2026)	RECAP
6	Aug. 4, 2026	NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT to District Judge Andre Birotte Jr and Magistrate Judge Michael B. Kaufman. (jp) (Entered: 08/04/2026)	RECAP
7	Aug. 4, 2026	NOTICE TO PARTIES OF COURT-DIRECTED ADR PROGRAM filed. (jp) (Entered: 08/04/2026)	RECAP
8	Aug. 4, 2026	Notice to Counsel Re Consent to Proceed Before a United States Magistrate Judge. (jp) (Entered: 08/04/2026)	RECAP
9	Aug. 4, 2026	21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening) 1 as to Defendants Doug Burgum, Lanny Erdos, Ronald Nuckles, Marc Stamer, Joseph Stout, U.S. Bureau of Land Management. (jp) (Entered: 08/04/2026)	RECAP
10	Aug. 12, 2026	ORDER RE TRANSFER PURSUANT to this Court's General Order in the Matter of Assignment of Cases and Duties to the District Judges. Related Case- filed. Related Case No: 2:17-cv-08587-GW-ASx. Case transferred from Judge Andre Birotte Jr and Magistrate Judge Michael B. Kaufman to Judge George H Wu and Magistrate Judge Alka Sagar for all further proceedings. The case number will now reflect the initials of the transferee Judge 2:26-cv-08287-GW-ASx. Signed by Judge George H. Wu. (lh) (Entered: 08/12/2026)	RECAP
11	Aug. 13, 2026	STANDING ORDER RE FINAL PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCES FOR CIVIL JURY TRIALS BEFORE JUDGE GEORGE H. WU by Judge George H Wu: 1. You are instructed to read and to follow (unless otherwise superseded herein) the Central District of California Local Rules (henceforth "Local Rules") 16-1 through 16-15 regarding pre-trial requirements. (see document for further details) (bm) (Entered: 08/14/2026)	RECAP
12	Aug. 17, 2026	PROOF OF SERVICE Executed by Plaintiff Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, upon Defendant All Defendants. Service of the Summons and Complaint were executed upon the United States Attorneys Office by delivering a copy to C. Veloz. Executed upon the Attorney Generals Office of the United States by delivering a copy to K. Jernigan. Executed upon the officer agency or corporation by delivering a copy to D. Randall, R. Jones. Service was executed in compliance with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Due diligence declaration NOT attached. Registered or certified mail return receipt attached. (Forsyth, Elizabeth) (Entered: 08/17/2026)	RECAP
13	Oct. 6, 2026	Answer to Complaint (Attorney Civil Case Opening)	RECAP
14	Oct. 7, 2026	Initial Order Setting R26 Scheduling Conference - form only	RECAP

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Case Details

State / Territory:

California

Case Type(s):

Environmental Justice

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Environmental Protections

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 28, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

The Center for Biological Diversity and the Sierra Club.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

Bureau of Land Management

Defendant Type(s):

Parks

Facility Type(s):

Government-run

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Other Dockets:

Central District of California 2:26-cv-08287

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Relief Granted:

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

Environmental Justice and Resources:

Groundwater

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of Center for Biological Diversity v. U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/48379/ (last updated 10/2/2026).