Borgias et al.: Unlikely Alliances in Rural-Urban Environmental Conflicts

In Unlikely Alliances in Action: Balancing Alignment and Autonomy in Rural-Urban Water Conflicts, Sophia Borgias (Public Service, Boise State University), Kate Berry (Geography, University of Nevada-Reno), and Dalten Fox (Arts and Sciences, University of South Alabama) emphasize the positive impact of “unlikely alliances” arising from efforts to tackle critical environmental issues. The authors employ a “place-based and historically embedded” approach to explore the internal dynamics of alliances among groups that have traditionally been in opposition.

 The authors’ research into these “unlikely alliances” involving environmentalists, farmers, ranchers, Indigenous nations, and other diverse groups focuses on how these alliances form, evolve, and function. The study examines two distinct alliances formed in opposition to rural-to-urban water transfer projects—one in California and another in Nevada and Utah. The authors observe that alliances tend to evolve over time, take different forms, involve varying levels of agreement, and are structured differently based on the groups involved.

For example, in the case of the Los Angeles aqueduct project, the study highlights how the nature of opposition alliances has shifted over the years, especially since the project has been contested for more than a century. Attempts in the mid-2000s to create a more unified alliance were hindered by competing interests, which slowed the opposition’s progress. In contrast, opposition to a similar water project in Nevada and Utah was more successful. Here, an established alliance that had previously opposed a government ballistic missile system played a key role. The comparison of these two cases underscores the importance of relationship-building in ensuring the success of alliances. Four major conclusions arise from these case studies: First, alliances are dynamic and can be fragile, especially over extended periods of time. Second, aligning values and respecting autonomy, particularly in the case of Indigenous groups who value their independence in expressing their positions, is crucial for alliance success. Third, groups within an alliance may have different understandings of what it means to participate. And fourth, alliances are valued by participants, especially given current political polarization.

 Unlike other studies, which focus on the motivations and outcomes of alliances, this research examines the evolving relationships and shifting dynamics of day-to-day operations. The authors acknowledge the challenges of establishing and sustaining effective collaborations but highlight the need for greater cooperation to improve advocacy for water justice.