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California Land Use Law & Policy Reporter

June 2020

Volume 29, Number 9 June 2020

FEATURE ARTICLE

U.S. Supreme Court Issues County of Maui Decision—Finds ‘Functionally Equivalent’ Test Guides the Inquiry Whether an NPDES Permit is Required for Groundwater Point Sources that Link to Waters of the U.S. by Travis Brooks, Esq, Miller Starr Regalia, Walnut Creek, California243

LAND USE NEWS

Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order that Suspends Certain Noticing Deadlines under the California Environmental Quality Act249

REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS

California State Water Resources Control Board Adopts Permanent Monthly Water Use Reporting Requirements251

LAWSUITS FILED OR PENDING

California Obtains Temporary Halt to Current Central Valley Project Operations to Protect Steelhead253

RECENT FEDERAL DECISIONS

District Court:

District Court Finds Nationwide Permit for Keystone Xl Pipeline Project Violates the Endangered Species Act256

Northern Plains Resource Council v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ___F.Supp.3d___, Case No. CV-19-44-GF-BMM (D. Mt. Apr. 15, 2020, amended order May 11, 2020).

RECENT CALIFORNIA DECISIONS

District Court of Appeal:

Second District Court Finds Filing of Facially Valid Notice of Determination Triggered Limitations Period for Bringing CEQA Claims258

Coalition for an Equitable Westlake/Macarthur Park v. City of Los Angeles, ___Cal.App.5th___, Case No. B293327(2nd Dist. Apr. 2, 2020).

Second District Court Upholds CEQA Environmental Impact Report for Oil Refinery Project259

Communities for a Better Environment v. South Coast Air Quality Management District, ___Cal.App.5th___, Case No. B293327 (2nd Dist. Apr. 2, 2020).

Second District Court Upholds Constitutionality of City of El Monte’s Rent Control Ordinance for Mobilehome Parks261

El Rovia Mobile Home Park, LLC v. City of El Monte, 48 Cal.App.5th 113 (2nd Dist. 2020).

Third District Court Addresses the Fair Hearing Argument in Denial of Conditional Use Permit—Finds Bias Played a Role in the Denial263

Petrovich Development, LLC v. City of Sacramento, ___Cal.App.5th___, Case No. C087283 (3rd Dist. May 8, 2020).

Fourth District Court Reverses Trial Court’s Award of Compensation for Inverse Condemnation266

Ruiz v. County of San Diego, ___Cal.App.5th___, Case Nos. D074654, D075355 (4th Dist. Mar. 17, 2020; Pub. Apr. 7, 2020).

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE268