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News Articles

U.S. Geological Survey Releases Study Suggesting Colorado River Streamflow Reductions are Associated with Atmospheric Warming

By Geremy Holm and Steve Anderson In March 2020, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released a study seeking to explain the physical mechanism behind the…

Read More 2020-05-08

California Department of Water Resources Reports Groundwater Levels Rebounding, But Not Yet at Pre-Drought Conditions

By Chris Carrillo and Derek R. Hoffman The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) recently issued a report indicating the State has seen a modest…

Read More 2020-05-06

D.C. Circuit Holds Clean Air Act Rulemaking Reconsideration Petition is Proper Where Final Rule Was Not a ‘Logical Outgrowth of Proposed Rule’

By Deborah Quick The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted a final rule, governing pollutant emissions from coal- and gas-fired utility boilers. The rule set…

Read More 2020-05-06

Allegations of RICO Violations In Clean Air Act, ‘Clean Diesel’ Litigation, Survive Motion to Dismiss at the District Court

By Deborah Quick A third U.S. District Court has rejected a motion to dismiss Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (18 U.S.C. § 1962, RICO)…

Read More 2020-05-06

Oregon Supreme Court Affirms Remand of Wetlands Fill Permit to Oregon Department of State Lands Based on Statutory Mandate Regarding Public Need for the Water

By Alex Shasteen In Citizens for Responsible Development in The Dalles v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., the issue of whether a wetlands fill permit issued by…

Read More 2020-05-06

California Department of Fish and Wildlife Issues Incidental Take Permit for Long-Term Operations of the State Water Project

By Sam Bivins  and Meredith Nikkel On March 31, 2020, the California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) issued an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) to…

Read More 2020-05-06

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Releases Klamath River Project Interim Plan, Which Provides Additional Water for Endangered Species

By Miles Krieger and Steve Anderson In late March 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Bureau) released a proposed Interim Plan to operate the Klamath…

Read More 2020-05-06

Ninth Circuit Makes Clear that the Administrative ‘Finality’ Requirement under Williamson County for Federal Land Use Takings Claims Remains Intact

By Travis Brooks   In one of the first federal “takings” cases after last year’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in Knick v. Township of Scott,…

Read More 2020-05-06

Oregon Department of Land Conservation Determines Energy and Gas Pipeline Project Inconsistent with the State’s Coastal Management Program

On February 19, 2020, the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) issued a negative determination regarding the proposed Jordan Cove Energy Project and…

Read More 2020-04-01

Idaho Department of Health Issues Shelter in Place Order—Where Do State Irrigation Water Entities Stand During the Covid-19 Pandemic?

The Covid-19 ongoing pandemic is touching all aspects of people’s lives and livelihoods. Many states have issued shelter-in-place orders (or stay-at-home orders) effectively shuttering wide…

Read More 2020-04-01