CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS
Lower Basin States’ Short-Term Plan to Conserve the Colorado
River197
CEQA Reform Initiative Measure Likely to Appear on Statewide California Ballot in November199
Another Tax Limitation Measure Likely Headed to the November 2026
California Statewide Ballot: “Local Taxpayer Protection Act to Save Proposition 13”201
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
Department of Water Resources Issues Updated Water Allocations for
2026203
LAWSUITS FILED OR PENDING
Pending before the California Supreme Court, Amicus Briefs in Bring Back the Kern v. City of Bakersfield, Its First Major Water Case in 25
Years205
California Supreme Court Asked to Review Court of Appeal’s Decision in Las Posas Valley Groundwater Adjudication206
RECENT CALIFORNIA DECISIONS
Supreme Court:
California Supreme Court Clarifies Coastal Commission’s Appellate Jurisdiction209
Shear Development Co., LLC v. California Coastal Commission, ___Cal.5th___, Case No. S284378 (April 23, 2026; modified, May 14, 2026).
District Court of Appeal:
Public Fishing, CEQA, and Drinking Water Protection: First District Court Clarifies Reservoir Access Obligations210
Dummer v. City and County of San Francisco et al., ___Cal.App.5th___, Case No. A172588 (1st Dist. May 29, 2026).
Validation, Proposition 218, and Finality: First District Courts Decision in Hiller v. Marin Municipal Water District212
Hiller v. Marin Municipal Water District, ___Cal.App.5th___, Case No. A171271 (1st Dist. June 2, 2026).
Superior Court:
Superior Court Overturns State Water Resources Control Board Order Directing BlueTriton Brands to Cease and Desist All Operations214
BlueTriton Brands, Inc. v. State Water Resources Control Board, Case No. 23CECG04292 (Fresno County Super. Ct. May 5, 2025).
