Western Water Law & Policy Reporter
December 2022
Volume 27, Number 2
December 2022
WESTERN WATER NEWS
Significant Summer Rains Avert New Mexico Water Supply Crisis Caused by Historic Wildfires—But Impact Water Quality, Property and Irrigation Systems35
New Technical Study Assesses Costs and Practical Considerations in Moving Water from the Mississippi to Fuel Drought Stricken Colorado River Basin37
LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS
Resolving Interstate Flow Issues—Interstate Agreements in the Modern Era: the Walla Walla Integrated Water Resource Plan39
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
U.S. Department of the Interior Announces $210 Million for Drought Resilience Projects in the West41
California State Water Resources Control Board Adopts Water Conservation Standards for Urban Suppliers42
PENALTIES AND SANCTIONS
Recent Investigations, Settlements, Penalties, and Sanctions44
LAWSUITS FILED OR PENDING
U.S. Supreme Court to Address Colorado River Water Rights for the
Navajo Nation48
California’s PFAS Lawsuit Casts a Wide Net50
JUDICIAL DEVELOPMENTS
Federal:
D.C. Circuit Issues Extraordinary Writ Relief Commanding EPA to Comply with the Endangered
Species Act52
In re: Center for Biological Diversity, ___F.4th___, Case No. 21-1270 (D.C. Cir. Nov. 22, 2022).
D.C. District Court Grants Summary Judgment in Favor of Pipeline Project54
Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ___F.Supp.4th___, Case No. 20-3817, No. 21-0189 (D. D.C. Oct. 7, 2022).
State:
Colorado Court of Appeals Allows ‘Relocation’ Damages Related to Interference with Pipe-
line56
Ute Water Conservancy District v. Rudolph Fontanari, Jr.; Ethel C. Fontanari; and Rudolph Fontanari, Jr. and Ethel Carol Fontanari Revocable Trust, 20CA2132 & 21CA0135