WESTERN WATER NEWS
California Groundwater Sustainability Agency Threatens $1000 Daily Fine and Shutoff if Wells Are Not Registered105
LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS
2026 Colorado Legislative Preview107
Washington State House Bill 2544: A Phased Adjudication Model for
Federal and Tribal Water Claims in the Upper Columbia109
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
California’s Sites Reservoir Project Moves Forward with Department of the Interior’s Record of Decision—The Road Ahead111
Department of Water Resources Officially Launches Project to Update the California Water Plan112
Nevada Moves to Formalize Joint Management of the Lower White River Flow System Hydrographic Basin114
PENALTIES & SANCTIONS
Recent Investigations, Settlements, Penalties, and Sanctions116
JUDICIAL DEVELOPMENTS
Federal:
U.S. District Court Affirms that CWA Notice of Violation Letters Need Only Be “Reasonably Specific” to Sufficiently Allert Violator of Unlawful Discharge121
Californians for Alternatives to Toxics v. Travis Moreda Dairy, ___F.Supp.4th___, Case No. 24-CV-06632-SI (N.D. Cal. Jan. 27, 2026.
U.S. District Court Issues Preliminary Injunction in Columbia Basin Salmon Litigation122
National Wildlife Federation, et al. v. State of Oregon, et al., ___F.Supp.4th___, Case No. 3:01-cv-640-SI (D. Or. Feb. 25, 2026).
State:
California Court of Appeal Affirms Denial of Writ Challenging City’s Certification of EIR for Warehouse Project, Finds Water Supply Assessment Complied with CEQA124
City of Vallejo v. City of American Canyon, ___Cal.App.5th___, Case No. C102070 (3rd Dist. Jan. 14, 2026).
“Water, No Invite”? California Court of Appeal Finds City of Fresno May Be Liable for Property Damage Caused by Switch to Alternate Water
Source125
Micheli v. City of Fresno, Unpub., Case No. F085599 (5th Dist. Feb. 13, 2026).
