CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS
Trump Administration Rescinds Biden-Era Public Lands Protections across the West219
Property Owners Protest in Paso Robles: Groundwater Authority’s Second Shot to Pass Groundwater Management Fee221
LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS
Rising Concerns over Potential Data Center Developments and Effects on State Water Supplies—California Senate Bills 886 and 887223
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
California Department of Water Resources Releases “A New Vision for San Joaquin Valley,” Addressing Long-Term Water Management in the
Valley225
Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board Issues Tentative Watershed-Wide MS4 Permit for Orange, Riverside, and San Bernadino Counties226
State Water Resources Control Board Hearings Office Receives Public Comments on Draft Order in Sites Reservoir Proceeding228
LAWSUITS FILED OR PENDING
Members of California State Employment Union File Lawsuit, Claims State “Return-To-Office” Mandate Is Subject to CEQA Review230
RECENT FEDERAL DECISIONS
Circuit Court of Appeals:
Ninth Circuit Clarifies EPA Discretion in Regulating decaBDE232
Alaska Community Action on Toxics v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 175 F.4th 1169 (9th Cir. 2026).
Standing before Substance: D.C. Circuit Dismisses PFAS Citizen Suit against EPA233
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, et al. v. Zeldin, et al., ___F.4th___, Case No. 24-5294 (D.C. Cir. May 1, 2026).
RECENT CALIFORNIA DECISIONS
District Court of Appeal:
Substance over Formality in Proposition 65 Notice Compliance—First District Court Finds Substantial Compliance Sufficient236
Toxin Working Group Inc. v. Best Naturals, Inc., ___Cal.App.5th___, Case No. A170985 (1st Dist. May 22, 2026).
Fourth District Court Holds the California Public Records Act, Statutory Timeframe for Making Records “Promptly Available” Is Flexible and Context-
Specific238
Voice of San Diego v. San Diego Unified School District, ___Cal.App.5th___, Case No. D084327 (4th Dist. May 11, 2026).
