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California Land Use Law & Policy Reporter

March 2013

Volume 22, Number 6 March 2013

FEATURE ARTICLE

Challenges to Permitting Desalination Plants in California by Joe Monaco, AICP, Dudek, Encinitas and Scott Birkey, Esq., Cox, Castle 159

LAND USE NEWS

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Approves Feed-In Tariff for Renewable Energy165

REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS

New Flood Control Oversight Actions by the California Flood Protection Board Change the Regulatory and Development Climate in the State167

LAWSUITS FILED OR PENDING

While Appeal is Pending, California Coastal Commission Files Separate

Federal Action Challenging Proposed Redevelopment of San Diego Navy Complex169

RECENT FEDERAL DECISIONS

Circuit Court of Appeals:

Ninth Circuit Affirms Surface Transportation Board’s Adoption of EIS for Alaskan Rail Line—Finds NEPA Review and ‘Hard Look’ Adequate171

Alaska Survival v. Surface Transportation Board, ___F.3d___, Case No. 12-70218 (9th Cir. Jan. 23, 2013).

Ninth Circuit Upholds U.S. Forest Service’s Roadless Rule for the State of Idaho173

Jayne v. Sherman, ___F.3d___, Case No. 11-35269 (9th Cir. Jan. 7, 2013).

Federal Circuit Finds Claims Court Improperly Rejected a Takings Claim Based on an Erroneous Parcel Determination in Connection with Corps 404 Permit Application176

Lost Tree Village Corporation v. U.S., ___F.3d___, Case No. 2012-5008 (Fed. Cir. Jan. 10, 2013).

District Court:

District Court Finds Challenge Brought under The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act Not Ripe for Judicial Review178

Sanchez v. City of Phoenix, ___F.Supp.2d___, Case No. CV-12-1454-PHX-GMS (D. Ariz. Jan. 25, 2013).

District Court Denies Sierra Club Challenge on ESA and NEPA Issues—Clears the Way for Wind

Project180

Sierra Club, et al. v. Kenna, et al., ___F.Supp.2d___, Case No. 1:12-cv-1193 (E.D. Cal. Jan. 11, 2013).

District Court Finds ‘Navigable Waters of the United States’ Does Not Mean ‘Traditionally Navigable Waters’ in Section 311 of the Clean Water Act . .181

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 Quality183

Save Cuyama Valley v. County of Santa Barbara, Case No. B233318, Unp. Dec. (2nd Dist. Jan. 10, 2013).

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185