2023 California Water Law & Policy MCLE Conference

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

WHEN: June 8-9, 2023

WHERE: Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

We are pleased to invite you to join us at Argent Communications Group’s 2023 annual California Water Law & Policy Conference—in-person this year at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.

What a change a year makes and what a rainy season it was! The immediate dialogue has changed from dealing with a punishing, long-term drought exacerbated by climate change aridification, to focusing on the best use of California’s newfound and plentiful water supplies. But the state’s long-term focus remains on the impacts of climate-change driven “extremes.” This requires attention not only on the situation in California, but also on the Colorado River Basin due to its vital importance to southern California water demands. A long-term focus on water supply necessarily brings to the discussion the need for desalinated water.

Water rights are always of great importance to your practice. This year we focus on (1) proposed water rights legislation that would change the authority of the State Water Resources Control Board, (2) water rights litigation in the Delta, (3) water rights proceedings before the Administrative Hearing Office, and (4) Tribal water rights.

Finally, no water conference this year would be complete without a detailed discussion of the many aspects of groundwater regulation in California, where the now-mature issues stemming from SGMA are very much at the fore. This full half-day discussion includes those critically over-drafted basins for which GSPs have already been deemed inadequate by DWR. Other important groundwater issues include SGMA-related adjudications and—important to the state’s water supply going forward—the State Water Board’s temporary permitting process for using potential floodwater for groundwater recharge.

We’re also covering other timely issues of growing concern. The federal Clean Water Act and its jurisdictional reach remains a moving target, now with the Biden Administration’s EPA WOTUS definition and the push-back from the federal courts. CEQA remains of vital importance in California and becoming familiar with the most recent land use-water connection issues is a must.

Our 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 informative conference and find out what impact these critical topics will have on each other—and how the potential outcomes will impact your practice, agency, or organization in the future.

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 2023 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 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.

If you attend only one MCLE water law conference this year, make it the only one produced by the 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; Downey Brand; Fennemore; Miller Starr Regalia; and Jackson Tidus.

Download the conference brochure with full program and registration options.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

Conference tuition of $995 includes continental breakfasts, refreshment breaks, hosted conference networking reception, formatted program materials prepared by the Faculty, and a three-month subscription to the California Water Law & Policy Reporter (a $240 value). Discounts are available for individuals from government agencies, public interest groups, or academia, or for each attendee when two or more people from one firm or organization register together.

See our online registration form for details.

CONFERENCE HOTEL SPECIAL ROOM RATES

Book your room at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort early to take advantage of the special conference rate of only $319/night (single or double occupancy). To reserve your room and get this discounted room rate, simply go to this link. Or you can call the hotel at 805-564-4333, and ask for the “California Water Law Conference” discount. The number of rooms at this rate is limited, so be sure to make your reservations early.

We look forward to seeing you in Santa Barbara, June 8-9!