On April 17, 2025, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service (Services) proposed a rule to rescind the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The proposed rule...more
Designation Impacts Local Ordinances and Developments Involving the Tree -
Of particular significance to desert communities, the California Fish and Game Commission designated the western Joshua tree as a “candidate”...more
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Proposes New Rule Regarding Exclusion of Lands from Critical Habitat for Federally Listed Species -
A proposed new rule under the Federal Endangered Species Act will significantly change the...more
Decision in Protecting Our Water and Environmental Resources v. County of Stanislaus Case -
In a long-awaited decision, the California Supreme Court addressed the circumstances under which a public agency may characterize...more
9/2/2020
/ CA Supreme Court ,
CEQA ,
Construction Industry ,
Construction Permits ,
Construction Project ,
Environmental Review ,
Groundwater ,
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) ,
Utilities Sector ,
Water ,
Well Drilling
Telecommunications -
AB 1699 Telecommunications: mobile Internet service providers: first response agencies: emergencies -
Fire officials experienced a significant data transmission slowdown of their mobile emergency...more
1/13/2020
/ 911 Calls ,
Affordable Housing ,
Business Licenses ,
CEQA ,
Coastal Real Estate ,
Data Plan ,
Drinking Water ,
Electronic Data Transmissions ,
Emergency Response ,
Environmental Policies ,
Fire Departments ,
Groundwater ,
Hazardous Waste ,
Health and Safety ,
Homeless Issues ,
Infrastructure ,
Internet ,
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Marine Life Protections ,
NPDES ,
Power Outages ,
Public Agencies ,
Public Safety ,
Public Works ,
Real Estate Development ,
Reasonable Prevention Procedures ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Safe Drinking Water Act ,
State and Local Government ,
State Pilot Programs ,
Stormwater Discharge Permits ,
Telecommunications ,
Threshold Requirements ,
Vulnerable Victims ,
Wastewater ,
Water Management ,
Water Rights ,
Wildfires
New California Law to Help Achieve SGMA Requirements -
Assembly Bill 658, signed into law last week, creates new temporary diversion permits allowing for excess surface water capture during high-flow events. Permits...more
10/17/2019
/ Environmental Policies ,
Groundwater ,
Groundwater Management Plan ,
Municipalities ,
New Legislation ,
Permits ,
State and Local Government ,
Surface Water ,
Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) ,
Underground Storage Tanks ,
Water Diversion ,
Water Resources Control Board ,
Water Supplies
The State Water Resources Control Board voted this week to increase state protections for wetlands by adopting both a new wetlands definition and procedures for obtaining associated dredge and fill permits. The regulations...more
In a victory for landowners and other regulated entities, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously limited the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s discretion when designating critical habitat under the federal Endangered Species Act....more
While California’s drought state-of-emergency has been lifted, legal battles aimed at limiting groundwater extractions linger....more
The State Water Resources Control Board adopted a new fee schedule that will be applied to groundwater pumpers in basins where compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act comes up short. ...more
The State Water Resources Control Board released this week a formal proposal to extend the emergency statewide drought regulations that have been in effect for California in various forms since early 2015. Cities, counties,...more
Public Comments Due Aug.18 -
The State Water Board recently held a public hearing on controversial proposed amendments to the California Ocean Plan and the Water Quality Control Plan for Inland Surface Waters, Enclosed...more
Public Comments Due July 29th -
The State Water Resources Control Board recently released a series of revisions to its proposed Drinking Water Fee Regulations. The revised regulations make a series of amendments to the...more
Key Principle: Sustainable Management Through Local Efforts -
The California Water Commission unanimously adopted a demanding set of regulations to govern the creation and implementation of groundwater sustainability...more
State Water Resources Control Board Releases Draft Regulation to Modify Water Conservation Requirements -
Mandatory statewide water use restrictions in California would be replaced by a more locally driven set of water...more
Public Comments Due June 22 -
The State Water Resources Control Board released a series of proposed regulations aimed at increasing total funding for California’s Drinking Water Program and addressing drinking water...more
The Obama Administration released an action plan for long-term drought resilience that will impact the way state and local water agencies interact with the federal government on drought prevention and response efforts....more
Climate, Growth and Water Supply Adjustments Ease Conservation Burden in Some Communities -
The deadline is fast approaching for urban water suppliers to apply for an adjustment to their water conservation standards...more
Proposed Regulations Include Required Plan Elements and Criteria for State Review -
The Department of Water Resources released draft emergency regulations Thursday that spell out the steps and requirements local agencies...more
Public Comments Due Jan. 28 -
The State Water Resources Control Board released a proposed regulation that will extend statewide emergency water conservation mandates through October 2016. Several key provisions could...more
Public Comments Due Jan. 6 -
The State Water Resources Control Board released a proposed regulatory framework for extending statewide emergency water conservation mandates through October 2016. The framework could result...more
The State Water Board issued a draft emergency regulation on Monday for measuring and reporting the diversion and use of water pursuant to Senate Bill 88. The Board also recently announced it will hold a workshop in...more
Information on Outdoor Watering and Monthly Water Production Required -
By Dec. 15, all small water suppliers in California must file, for the first time, water conservation reports with the State Water Resources Control...more
A recently released Presidential Memorandum will likely spur new policies related to development and natural resources, possibly impacting public agencies, developers and the like. “Mitigating Impacts on Natural Resources...more
Mandatory Water Restrictions Could Run Beyond February, Depending On Rain and Snowfall -
The State Water Resources Control Board is contemplating extending the mandatory emergency water restrictions that it imposed...more