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California Water Law & Policy Reporter

May 2019

Volume 29, Number 8 May 2019

CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS

Full Reservoirs and Dense Snowpack: A Look at California’s Water Supply for 2019203

Metropolitan Water District to Supply Water Instead of the Imperial Irrigation District to Finish the Colorado River Drought Plan204

REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS

Department of Water Resources and Bureau of Reclamation Announce Increased Water Allocations Following Early Spring Storms206

Department of Water Resources Begins Releasing Water from Oroville Dam to Accommodate Spring Rain and Snowmelt207

State Water Resources Control Board Adopts ‘State Wetland Definition’ and ‘Procedures for Dischargers of Dredge or Fill Material’209

LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS

The California Environmental, Public Health, and Workers Defense Act of 2019—California Pushes Back211

Proposed California Water Tax and Legislative Funding Proposals for Water Projects Compete for Support in Uphill Climb for Approval212

California Legislation Proposes Changes to Management of the State’s Marine and Coastal Resources214

LAWSUITS FILED OR PENDING

United States Sues State Water Resources Control Board under CEQA over Bay-Delta Plan Update’s Application to New Melones Reservoir216

RECENT FEDERAL DECISIONS

U.S. Supreme Court:

Supreme Court Addresses Federally Reserved Water Rights, National Alaska Lands Act and Scope of the Park Service’s Authority over Nation River218

Sturgeon v. Frost, et al., ___U.S.___, 139 S. Ct. 1066 (U.S. Mar 26, 2019).

District Court:

District Court Denies States’ Request for Preliminary Injunction in Challenge to Clean Water Rule220

Ohio v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ___F.Supp.3d___, Case No. 2:15-CV-2467 (S.D. Ohio Mar. 26, 2019).

RECENT CALIFORNIA DECISIONS

District Court of Appeal:

Sixth District Court Refuses to Broaden Tomlinson Notice Requirements for Projects that Are Categorically Exempt from CEQA222

Turn Down The Lights v. City of Monterey, Unpub., Case Nos. H044656 & H045556 (6th Dist. Feb. 28, 2019).