A federal judge put a temporary block on a massive solar power project that the Quechan Nation opposes.

Judge Larry Burns said the Bureau of Land Management failed to consult the tribe. “[G]overnment agencies are not free to glide over requirements imposed by statutes (approved by Congress) and duly adopted regulations," he wrote in his ruling.

The tribe filed the lawsuit in last October. The tribe says the Imperial Valley Solar Project will harm cultural resources and the habitat of the flat-tailed horned lizard.

Developer Tessera Solar North America plans to install 28,360 solar dishes across 6,360 acres of public land in southern California.

Turtle Talk posted documents from the case, Quechan Nation v. DOI

Get the Story:
Judge blocks Imperial Valley solar project (The San Diego Union-Tribune 12/17)
Judge rules in favor of tribe, halts Imperial County solar project (The Imperial Valley Press 12/17)
FEDERAL JUDGE HALTS FIRST LARGE-SCALE SOLAR PROJECT ON PUBLIC LANDS (East County Magazine 12/16)
Judge puts hold on Calif. solar plant (The Yuma Sun 12/16)
Imperial Valley Solar Project Dealt Setback by Federal Judge (The Solar Home & Business Journal 12/16)
Judge Grants Tribe’s Request To Halt Solar Project (KPBS 12/16)

Related Stories:
Quechan Nation elders stage protest against solar energy plant (11/16)
Quechan Nation elders upset by approval of solar power project (11/15)
Blog: Quechan Nation faces uphill battle in lawsuit over solar farm (11/04)
Quechan Nation wants federal judge to block solar energy project (11/3)
Tribal members worried about fast-tracking of energy projects (10/20)