2022 California Water Law & Policy MCLE Conference

“California Water Management, Policy, and Regulation in This Time of Extremes”

WHEN: May 17 & 19, 2022

WHERE: Live Online!

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

California’s water law and policy remain moving targets covering ever-changing issues. This year, many topics—long-standing and new—have garnered our attention. The West’s mega-drought—complicated or caused at least in part by climate change—continues. Since California’s precipitation arrives in spurts, both water supply and flood control planning are affected by the anticipated effects of climate change remain top of mind. We’ll hear how water managers with federal, state, and local agencies are planning for this new normal. Also topical in the mix are hurdles and strategies related to water infrastructure funding.

Relatedly, this spring a well-respected group of California water law academics and practitioners released a report entitled “Updating California Water Laws to Address Drought and Climate Change.” In a Keynote Panel, several of the report’s authors will discuss the report’s recommendations and how to implement changes to long-standing water law principles in view of our changing climate. Concerns about dealing with state-level regulatory mandates at the local level, and new ethics considerations round out our first day.

The jurisdictional reach of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA), narrowed under the last administration has now been re-defined. The State Water Resources Control Board continues its efforts at expanding its regulatory authority over waters of the state. And within the State Water Resources Control Board, the Administrative Hearings Office is now becoming an important venue for the resolution of water rights disputes.

We’re also covering other timely issues of growing concern. Compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act in both planning and implementation remains high on the list for many water law practitioners. CEQA is ever-changing and water law practitioners need to stay abreast of case law interpretation of the act. Updates on the Endangerd Species Act, Colorado River issues, and Klamath Basin activites round out the final day.

This conference is designed to hone in on the issues that will most impact your water-related practice and the governance of water in the state. As an attendee, you will gain practical knowledge on the legal, policy, and technical sides of the issues from our outstanding faculty from federal and state regulatory agencies, the academic community, water supply agencies, consultants, and top water attorneys from throughout the state.

Be sure to register today for this special conference, and find out what impact these critical topics will have on each other—and how the potential outcomes may change the future of California water.

NOT ALL WATER LAW CONFERENCES ARE THE SAME!

Register today for the only water law conference in 2021 that’s produced by the publishers of California Water Law & Policy Reporter, offering publications and water law conference programs specifically for the California Water Bar since 1989. This year, as always, the expert publishers, editors, and advisors of California Water Law & Policy Reporter have been instrumental in planning this conference for you.

These seasoned, in-the-trenches legal professionals are uniquely qualified to let you know not only what’s happened but, more important, what’s coming down the pike in the future. And because California’s water issues are often contentious, we don’t skimp on perspective. You’ll get several different (and sometimes conflicting) views from the top practitioners and key institutional players in the field to deepen your understanding of the issues.

We invite you to compare our exceptional program topics and speakers to any other water law conference out there. If you attend only one MCLE water law conference this year, make it the only one produced by the expert publishers and editors of California Water Law & Policy Reporter, and co-sponsored by many of the state’s top law firms, including: Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo; Best, Best & Krieger; Cox, Castle & Nicholson; Downey Brand; Fennemore; Jackson Tidus; and Miller Starr Regalia.

Download the conference brochure with full program and other registration options.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

Conference tuition of $895 includes attendance, complete formatted program materials, virtual conference instructions, and a three-month subscription to the California Water Law & Policy Reporter (a $245 value). As an added value bonus, you will also receive recordings of the live sessions. Discounts apply for government agency and non-profit personnel, or when you register two or more attendees from the same organization. See our online registration form for details.

We look forward to seeing you Live Online, May 17 & 19!