Land Use Law

President Trump’s Nominees for Interior and Energy Easily Approved By Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Secretary of the Interior nominee Ryan Zinke and Secretary of Energy nominee Rick Perry were approved by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, paving the way for their confirmation by the full Senate. The committee approved Zinke by a 16-6 vote, and Perry by a 16-7 vote. Angering the Democrats on the Committee, […]

BLM Reaches Settlement Agreement in Longstanding Utah Land Use Litigation

On January 13, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) filed a settlement agreement in U.S. District Court along with off-highway vehicle advocates and various conservation groups. If approved by the court, the agreement would end more than 8 years of litigation over land use and travel management plans on approximately 10 million BLM-administered acres in […]

Keystone XL and Dakota Access: President Trump Takes Action to Expedite Priority Energy and Infrastructure Projects

Full White House Press Release HERE. President Donald J. Trump today signed a series of Executive Orders and Presidential Memoranda in keeping with his promise to reduce the burden of regulations and expedite high priority energy and infrastructure projects that will create jobs and increase national security. Presidential Memorandum Regarding Construction of the Keystone XL […]

Pipelines: Feds Issue New Guidelines

The federal Department of Transportation has issued new guidelines requiring pipeline operators to report accidents and spills more quickly.  The rules give specific time frames for accidents and cost-recovery provisions for new projects.  New Regulations HERE.  The new rules come a week after PHMSA announced new regulations regarding onshore hazardous liquid pipelines.

Mining Industry Prepares for Incoming Trump Administration

The mining industry is optimistic that the Trump administration will reduce regulatory burdens on mining and support efforts to open new mines. Several lawmakers have already introduced mining-related bills, and the American Exploration & Mining Association is working on a “wish list” of mining related asks for the incoming administration.  For example, the mining industry […]

Controversial: Obama creates 3 new national monuments, expands 2 others

Obama creates 3 new national monuments, expands 2 others In his last week, President Obama controversially announced the creation of three new national monuments and the expansion of two existing national monuments using the Antiquities Act of 1906. The Antiquities Act was passed by the United States Congress and signed into law by Theodore Roosevelt […]

Obama Administration Declares Atlantic and Arctic Off-Limits to Oil and Gas Drilling

Obama Administration Declares Atlantic and Arctic Off-Limits to Oil and Gas Drilling On Friday, November 18, 2016, the Obama administration announced that the Department of the Interior’s 2017-2022 offshore oil and gas leasing plan (“Leasing Plan”) will restrict drilling activities to the Gulf of Mexico, and one already-developed area in the Arctic’s Cook Inlet. Secretary […]

Santa Barbara County Water Supply Vanishing Due to Drought

    Santa Barbara County Water Supply Vanishing Due to Drought The reservoir serving much of Santa Barbara County reached a record low this summer and could continue to disappear with a dry winter. The 3,000 acre reservoir, Lake Cachuma (see above photos in “before” and “after” shots), holds Santa Barbara County’s drinking water and reached […]

CEQA: New Project? Nope. Supplemental Review Say Supremes

California Supreme Court rejects “new project” test for supplemental review and upholds the application of CEQA Guidelines section 15162 to negative declarations. After requesting additional briefing, the California Supreme Court published its decision in Friends of the College of San Mateo Gardens v. San Mateo Community College District (S214061) on September 19, 2016. In its […]

Riverside County Showdown: Environmental Groups vs. Federal Highway Administration

Environmental Groups Move for Summary Judgment in Suit Against Federal Highway Administration Environmental groups recently filed for summary judgment, alleging that the Federal Highway Administration (“FHWA”) failed to consider community impacts or less harmful alternatives prior to approving a $1.7 billion highway project, the Mid County Parkway (“MCP”), in Riverside County. The Center for Biological […]

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