California Water Law & Policy Reporter

CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS

Southwest Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency Threatens $1000 Daily Fine and Shutoff if Wells Are Not Registered123

LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla Introduces Two Bills to Provide Funding and

Encourage Innovative Solutions to Ensure Sustainable Future Water

Supply125

REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS

Sites Reservoir Project Moves Forward with Department of the Interior’s Record of Decision—The Road Ahead127

Department of Water Resources Officially Launches Project to Update the California Water Plan128

Sinking Ground: Department of Water Resources Issues Updated Best

Management Practices on Land Subsidence Under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act130

Department of Water Resources Increases 2026 State Water Project Allocation from 10 to 30 Percent132

State Water Resources Control Board Holds Firm on Bay-Delta Plan Updates: Key Takeaways from the January 2026 Hearings and New Accounting Frameworks134

Colorado Increases Regulations, Measurement Rules in the Face of Continuing Drought135

RECENT CALIFORNIA DECISIONS

District Court of Appeal:

Third District Court Affirms Denial of Writ Challenging City’s Certification of EIR for Warehouse Project, Finds Water Supply Assessment Complied with CEQA138

City of Vallejo v. City of American Canyon, ___Cal.App.5th___, Case No. C102070 (3rd Dist. Jan. 14, 2026).

CEQA, Deference and the “Subsequent Review” Standard—Second District Court Affirms Standard of Review Post MND/EIR140

Ventura County Citizens Against Mega Gas v. City of Camarillo, Unpub., Case No. B344843 (2nd Dist. Feb. 2, 2026).

Superior Court:

Federal Reserved Groundwater Rights in California: Superior Court Issues Phase 1 Decision in the

Indian Wells Valley Adjudication142

Mojave Pistachios, LLC v. Indian Wells Valley Water District, Case No. 30-2021-01187275-CU-OR-CJC (Orange County Super. Ct. Sept. 15, 2025).