Western Water Law & Policy Reporter
November 2021
Volume 26, Number 1
November 2021
WESTERN WATER NEWS
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Forecasts Reduced Inflows to Lake Mead, Exacerbating Shortage Conditions on the Colorado River3
Population Growth, Climate Change, and Water Rights Administration on the Boise River4
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
Biden Administration Begins Process of Reversing Trump-Era Amendments to NEPA Regulations—CEQ Releases Proposed Rule6
PENALTIES AND SANCTIONS
Recent Investigations, Settlements, Penalties and Sanctions8
LAWSUITS FILED OR PENDING
U.S. Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Mississippi v. Tennessee—The Court Could Set Precedent for Interstate Groundwater Disputes Across the United States11
Water Agencies File Lawsuits Challenging California State Water Board’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Curtailment Order13
JUDICIAL DEVELOPMENTS
Federal:
Ninth Circuit Decision Broadens Scope of RCRA Liability, Under Endangerment Provision, to Transporters16
California River Watch v. City of Vacaville, ___F.4th___, Case No. 20-16605 (9th Cir. Sept. 29, 2021).
Ninth Circuit Vacates Judgement Requiring Clean Water Act Citizen Suit to Prove Ongoing Discharge in Case Alleging Monitoring Violations17
Inland Empire Waterkeeper and Orange County Coastkeeper v. Corona Clay Co., 13 F.4th 917 (9th Cir. 2021).
District Court Denies Preliminary Injunction Seeking to Bar the Bureau from Continuing Voluntary Groundwater Pumping Program19
Aqualliance, et al, v. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, et al, ___F.Supp.4th___, Case No. 2:21-cv-01533 WBS DMC (E.D. Cal. Sept. 14, 2021).
District Court Denies All but One Motion in Review of Activities Requiring a General Permit Under the Clean Water Act21
Eden Environmental. Citizen’s Group v. California Cascade Building Materials, Inc. et. al, ___F.Supp.4th___, Case No. 2:19-cv-01936 (E.D. Cal. Sept. 20, 2021).
State:
New Mexico Court of Appeals Clarifies the Legal Test for Abandonment of Water Rights23
State ex rel. Office of the State Engineer v. Harris Gray, William Frost and New Mexico Copper Corporation, Case No. 37,258, slip op. (N.M. Ct. App. Sept. 17, 2021).
