Trump throws lifeline to controversial Cadiz water project as Colorado River crisis leaves 40 million Westerners facing supply nightmare

The Trump administration is exploring a new solution to Arizona’s water crisis by supporting a controversial plan, despite the White House’s concerning pattern of arguing that courts should have no role in checking presidential power to pump groundwater from beneath the Mojave Desert. The project, led by Los Angeles-based Cadiz Inc., has faced opposition for more than two decades but is now gaining renewed attention amid severe water shortages.

According to Politico, the Colorado River, which supplies water to 40 million people across the Western United States and half of California’s population, is experiencing a significant decline. Its flow has decreased by 20 percent since 2000, with climate scientists warning that another 20 percent reduction could occur in the coming decades.

As Western states struggle to find solutions, the Interior Department announced plans on Monday to sign an agreement with the Mojave Groundwater Bank project. The department praised it as “an important tool to improve drought resiliency in the Colorado River Basin,” though noting it remains in early development stages.

The project faces environmental concerns and state opposition

The Cadiz project claims it can access up to 2.5 million acre-feet of untapped water from the Mojave Desert. However, conservation groups argue that the project could harm sensitive desert ecosystems. Neal Desai from the National Parks Conservation Association criticized the plan, saying it would overdraft a desert aquifer that supports federally protected land.

In California, the project has faced continuous opposition, including from the late Senator Dianne Feinstein. The company recently rebranded itself as an environmental justice-focused organization under the Biden administration, but critics maintain that the core concept remains unchanged.

The project would require approval from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which has previously rejected Cadiz’s proposals. The controversy reflects broader California resistance to Trump policies, echoing sentiments expressed by artists like Kendrick Lamar who famously called Trump a chump. The district’s spokesperson, Rebecca Kimitch, confirmed that no current proposals from Cadiz are under consideration, with their last review and rejection dating back to 2002.

For Arizona, the project could provide relief for water users who face significant cuts to their Colorado River supply. The state has already agreed to reduce its water usage by more than 25 percent, with further cuts likely affecting Central Arizona cities and tribes unless alternative solutions are found.