Landwatch has filed a lawsuit against the project in an attempt to stop it.

The city and the Forest Service have agreed to hold off on the pipeline until January 20th -- so a judge can hear their arguments and rule.

Bend City Manager Eric King.

"Our deadline is to try and get the pipe in the ground alog Skyliners Raod by Spring of 2015, by May.  We need a good year to do that.  And federal funds are tied to that.  So no, a month or two is going to be o.k., but further delays would be concerning about meeting that deadline."

The city of Bend and the Forest Service must resond to the Landwatch lawsuit by December 16th and Landwatch has to reply by January 3rd.

Eugene Judge Ann Aiken will again hear the case and is expected to rule before January 20th.