FEATURE ARTICLE
Challenges to Permitting Desalination Plants in California by Joe Monaco, AICP, Dudek, Encinitas and Scott Birkey, Esq., Cox, Castle 159
LAND USE NEWS
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Approves Feed-In Tariff for Renewable Energy165
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
New Flood Control Oversight Actions by the California Flood Protection Board Change the Regulatory and Development Climate in the State167
LAWSUITS FILED OR PENDING
While Appeal is Pending, California Coastal Commission Files Separate
Federal Action Challenging Proposed Redevelopment of San Diego Navy Complex169
RECENT FEDERAL DECISIONS
Circuit Court of Appeals:
Ninth Circuit Affirms Surface Transportation Board’s Adoption of EIS for Alaskan Rail Line—Finds NEPA Review and ‘Hard Look’ Adequate171
Alaska Survival v. Surface Transportation Board, ___F.3d___, Case No. 12-70218 (9th Cir. Jan. 23, 2013).
Ninth Circuit Upholds U.S. Forest Service’s Roadless Rule for the State of Idaho173
Jayne v. Sherman, ___F.3d___, Case No. 11-35269 (9th Cir. Jan. 7, 2013).
Federal Circuit Finds Claims Court Improperly Rejected a Takings Claim Based on an Erroneous Parcel Determination in Connection with Corps 404 Permit Application176
Lost Tree Village Corporation v. U.S., ___F.3d___, Case No. 2012-5008 (Fed. Cir. Jan. 10, 2013).
District Court:
District Court Finds Challenge Brought under The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act Not Ripe for Judicial Review178
Sanchez v. City of Phoenix, ___F.Supp.2d___, Case No. CV-12-1454-PHX-GMS (D. Ariz. Jan. 25, 2013).
District Court Denies Sierra Club Challenge on ESA and NEPA Issues—Clears the Way for Wind
Project180
Sierra Club, et al. v. Kenna, et al., ___F.Supp.2d___, Case No. 1:12-cv-1193 (E.D. Cal. Jan. 11, 2013).
District Court Finds ‘Navigable Waters of the United States’ Does Not Mean ‘Traditionally Navigable Waters’ in Section 311 of the Clean Water Act . .181
U.S. v. HVI Cat Canyon (Greka), ___F.Supp.2d___, Case No. 11-05097, Amended Order (C.D. Cal. Jan. 16, 2013).
RECENT CALIFORNIA DECISIONS
District Court of Appeal:
Second District Upholds EIR Evaluating Sand and Gravel Mine’s Impact on Cuyama Valley Water Supply and Water Quality183
Save Cuyama Valley v. County of Santa Barbara, Case No. B233318, Unp. Dec. (2nd Dist. Jan. 10, 2013).
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
