ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
California Irrigation District Receives State Funding for Solar Panel Covered Water Canals Pilot Program153
California Seeks to Prohibit Seabed Mining of Precious Metals in the State’s Coastal Waters154
LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS
California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office Recommends Governor’s Water and Drought Response Proposal Include More Funding for Groundwater Re-
charge156
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and NOAA Enter into Joint Memorandum Regarding ESA Consultations for Existing Structures158
PENALTIES AND SANCTIONS
Recent Investigations, Settlements, Penalties and Sanctions160
RECENT FEDERAL DECISIONS
Circuit Court of Appeals:
Fourth Circuit Vacates U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2020 Biological Opinion for Natural Gas Pipeline164
Appalachian Voices, et. al. v. U.S. Department of the Interior, ___F.4th___, Case No. 20-2159 (4th Cir. Feb. 3, 2022).
Renewable Fuel Producers Suffering Volatility in Congressionally-Created Fuel Credit Market Lack Standing to Challenge Reissuance of Expired Cred-
its166
Producers of Renewables United for Integrity Truth and Transparency v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ___F.4th___, Case No. 19-9532 (10th Cir. Feb. 23, 2022).
District Court:
District Court Denies Motion for Certification of Interlocutory Appeal on the Meaning of ‘Waters of The United States’168
United States v. Mashni, ___F.Supp.4th___, Case No. 2:18-CV-2288-DCN (D. S.C. Jan. 19, 2022).
Court of Fed. Claims:
Federal Claims Court Determines Federal Government Is Not Required to Pay Local Fees to Abate Water Pollution170
City of Wilmington v. United States, ___F.Supp.4th___, Case No. 16-1619C (Fed. Cl. Jan. 26, 2022).
RECENT STATE DECISIONS
California Court of Appeal Finds Housing Development Contemplated by the City’s Specific Plan Was Exempt from Further CEQA Review172
Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge v. City of Newark, 74 Cal.App.5th 560 (1st Dist. Jan. 25, 2022).
