CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS
Sporadic Rainfall Brings Sonoma and Mendocino County Reservoirs Closer to Historic Drought Levels149
Criminal Charges Filed against Former Michigan Governor Stemming from Flint Drinking Water Crisis149
LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS
Congress Introduces Bill to Coordinate River Restoration Efforts Between the United States and Mexico and to Protect the Salton Sea151
California Legislation Introduced to Address the Impacts of Agricultural Land Fallowing under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act152
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
FERC Rules State Water Board Did Not Waive Its Authority to Issue Water Quality Certifications for Don Pedro and La Grange Projects155
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Finalizes Regulatory Definition for the Term ‘Habitat’ as Used in the Endangered Species Act156
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Report Summarizes Factors Impacting Water Resources in the Western United States158
California State Water Resources Control Board Adopts New Order Establishing Statewide Waste Discharge Requirements for Wineries160
California State Water Resources Control Board Releases Report Describing Covid-19 Financial Impacts on Water Systems and Customers161
RECENT FEDERAL DECISIONS
District Court:
District Court Dismisses Clean Water Act Citizen Suit for Failure to Show an Environmental Injury to Establish Standing163
Glynn Environmental Coalition, Inc., et al. v. Sea Island Acquisition, LLC, ___F.Supp.3d___, Case No. 2:2019-cv-00050 (S.D. Ga. Jan. 29, 2021).
RECENT CALIFORNIA DECISIONS
Fifth District Court Affirms Ruling in Antelope Valley Groundwater Adjudication Denying Water Rights to Community Services District165
Antelope Valley Ground Water Cases: Phelan Piñon Hills Community Services District v. California Water Service Company, ___Cal.App.5th___, Case No. F082094 (5th Dist. Dec. 9, 2020; Partially Published, Jan 7, 2021).
Fourth District Court finds California Water Boards Appropriately Considered Economic Factors When Issuing MS4 Permit166
City of Duarte v. State Water Resources Control Board, ___Cal.App.5th___, Case No. G058539 (4th Dist. Jan. 28, 2021).