Western Water Law & Policy Reporter
April 2016
Volume 20, Number 6
April 2016
FEATURE ARTICLE
Sixth Circuit Asserts Jurisdiction over EPA’s Definition of Waters of the United States by Harvey M. Sheldon, Esq., Hinshaw & Culbertson, LLP,
Chicago, Illinois163
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
California Department of Water Resources to Double State Water Project Deliveries to 30 Percent for Cities and Farms167
Oregon Water Resources Department Proposes New Groundwater Rules for Greater Harney Valley with Potential Impact to Farmers and Ranch-
ers168
LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS
Two Bills in the Arizona Legislature May Dramatically Impact State Water Supply170
Utah General Legislative Session Ends—What Water Related Bills Passed and Which Died in Committee172
JUDICIAL DEVELOPMENTS
Federal:
U.S. Supreme Court Overturns Ninth Circuit Decision Allowing the National Park Service to Ban Hovercrafts on Alaskan River174
Sturgeon v. Masica, 768 F.3d 1066 (9th Cir. 2014); rev’d sub nom; Sturgeon v. Frost, 136 S.Ct. 27, 192 L. Ed. 997 (U.S. Mar. 22, 2016).
Ninth Circuit Reinstates Polar Bear Critical Habitat Designation176
Alaska Oil and Gas Association v. Jewell, ___F.3d___, Case No. 13-35619 (9th Cir. Feb. 29, 2016).
D.C. Circuit Directs EPA to Prepare a Financial Rulemaking Process under CERCLA for Hardrock Mining179
In re Idaho Conservation League, et al., ___F.3d___, Case No. 14-1149 (D.C. Cir. Jan. 29, 2016).
District Court Dismisses CERCLA Claims against the United States Seeking to Recover Costs Paid to Cleanup Uranium Mine180
Atlantic Richfield Co. v. U.S., ___F.Supp.3d___, Case No. 1:15-cv-56 (D. N.M. Mar. 1, 2016).
District Court Rejects NEPA/Clean Water Act Challenges to Army Corps Dredging of the Snake River Navigation Channel182
Idaho Rivers United, et al. v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ___F.Supp.3d___, Case No. C14-1800JLR (W.D. Wa Feb. 9, 2016).
District Court Upholds CERCLA’s Jurisdictional Bar in Denying Plaintiff’s Preemptive Lawsuit to Avoid Liability184
Land O’Lakes, Inc. v. U.S., ___F.Supp.3d___, Case No. CIV-15-683-R (W.D. Ok. Feb. 10, 2016).
State:
Texas Landowners Own Texas Groundwater—State Court Awards Millions in Regulatory Takings Damages185
Bragg v. Edwards Aquifer Authority, Case No. 06-11-18170-CV (Dist. Ct. Medina County Feb. 22, 2016).
