CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS
Governor Newsom Issues New Executive Order Partially Lifting Drought Declarations and Withdrawing Well Permit Requirements for Counties3
LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS
Colorado River Basin States, Congress Explore Variety of Programs to Address Western Water Needs5
California Passes Legislation for Challenges to Property-Related Fees7
Water Rights Penalties Are Set to Increase Significantly by Assembly Bill 460 If Signed into Law8
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
EPA’s Fourth Six-Year Review of Drinking Water Standards: Key
Findings10
State Water Board Designates Probationary Status for the Tule Sub-
basin11
The Delta Conveyance Project: An Update on Schedule and Next
Steps13
LAWSUITS FILED OR PENDING
U.S. Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Challenge to San Francisco Water
Quality Standards15
City and County of San Francisco v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Case No 23-753.
RECENT FEDERAL DECISIONS
Circuit Court of Appeals:
EPA’s Decision to Pursue Non-Regulatory Action regarding CAFOs Upheld by Ninth Circuit17
Food & Water Watch, et al. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Unpub., Case No. 23-2146 (9th Cir. Oct. 2, 2024).
RECENT CALIFORNIA DECISIONS
District Court of Appeal:
First District Upholds Use of CEQA Categorical Exemption for Conversion of Oil Well to Injection Well19
Sunflower Alliance v. California Department of Conservation, ___Cal.App.5th___, Case No. A167698 (1st Dist. Sept. 6, 2024).
Superior Court:
Sonoma Superior Court Finds County Groundwater Well Ordinance Non-Compliant with CEQA and Public Trust Doctrine21
Russian Riverkeeper, et al. v. County of Sonoma, Case No. SCV-273415 (Sonoma Super. Ct.).
