Senate Passes Water Infrastructure Act, Sending it to Trump

On Wednesday, the Senate voted 99-1 to pass a water infrastructure and reform bill authorizing dozens of new projects to upgrade drinking water, wastewater, and irrigation systems. (S.B. 2800 (2018) https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/2800.) The bill contains many provisions of interest to those involved in the hydropower, dam, or agricultural industries, among others:
• Rehabilitation of Army Corps-constructed dams,
• ...Read More

Fourth District Court of Appeal Upholds Addendum for Park Project EIR

The Fourth District Court of Appeal upheld a trial court’s decision denying a petition challenging the City of San Diego’s EIR for a project involving Balboa Park in the case Save our Heritage Organisation v. City of San Diego (case no. D073064, filed Oct. 24, 2018). The City approved the project and certified the EIR ...Read More

California Going it Alone: Keeping GHG Emissions Standards High

On Friday, September 28, 2018 the California Air Resources Board (“ARB”) stated that automakers that wish to sell vehicles in California still need to comply with the state’s stricter fuel economy rules. The ARB voted to affirm the “deemed to comply” provision of a key greenhouse gas regulation adopted in California in 2012 to ensure ...Read More

Battle of the Dusky Gopher Frog

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in Weyerhaeuser v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“USFWS”).  This case could have far-reaching implications curbing federally-designated critical habitat designations by the USFWS.

At the heart of this case is the USFWS’ 2012 decision to designate 1,500 acres of private land in Louisiana owned by Markle Interests, ...Read More