CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS
Argent Communications Group’s 2013 ‘California Water Law 163
Stakeholders Disagree on ‘Portfolio-Based Conceptual Alternative’ for the Bay Delta Conservation Plan165
California State Auditor’s Report Explains Water Rate Increases in Southeastern Los Angeles County167
LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS
California Congressional Representatives Introduce Legislation Authorizing Federal Participation In Natomas Basin Levee Work169
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
State Water Resources Control Board Releases Draft Substitute Environmental Document on Changes to the Bay-Delta Plan171
New Flood Control Oversight Actions by the California Flood Protection Board Change the Regulatory and Development Climate In the State174
California Department of Conservation Releases a ‘Discussion Draft’ of Proposed Regulations Governing Hydraulic Fracturing176
San Francisco PUC Agrees to Prevent the Draining of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Without Approval From Water Users Outside of San Francisco179
LAWSUITS FILED OR PENDING
Dueling Lawsuits Filed in U.S. District Court over National Marine Fisheries Service’s 2012 Yuba River Biological Opinion181
RECENT FEDERAL DECISIONS
Circuit Court of Appeals:
Federal Circuit Finds Claims Court Improperly Rejected a Takings Claim Based on an Erroneous Relevant Parcel Determination in Connection with Corps 404 Permit Application183
Lost Tree Village Corporation v. U.S., ___F.3d___, Case No. 2012-5008 (Fed. Cir. Jan. 10, 2013).
District Court:
District Court Finds San Diego Must Show Viable Water Supply Project to Recover Damages for Contamination185
People v. Kinder Morgan Energy, ___F.Supp.2d___, Case No. 07-CV-1883-MMA(WVG) (S.D. Cal. Jan. 25, 2013).
District Court Finds ‘Navigable Waters of the United States’ Does Not Mean ‘Traditionally Navigable Waters’ in Section 311 of the Clean Water Act . .187
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 Quality189
Save Cuyama Valley v. County of Santa Barbara, Case No. B233318, Unp. Dec. (2nd Dist. Jan. 10, 2013).
