[WEBINAR] Fairly (or Unfairly?) Traceable: Are Discharges Through Groundwater Subject to the Clean Water Act?
The United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and Wafler Farms, Inc., doing business as Wafler Nursery & Orchards (“WFI”) entered into a July 23rd Consent Decree (“CD”) addressing alleged violations of the Clean Water Act....more
I'm surprised to see the Biden Administration EPA moving forward right now with a rule proposed during the Trump Administration to allow states to take over responsibility for the permitting of "dredge and fill" activities...more
On January 18, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and the Department of the Army published a new final rule to re-define “waters of the United States” (“WOTUS”) under the Federal Clean Water Act (“CWA”)....more
In the ever-shifting landscape of the Clean Water Act and Porter-Cologne jurisdiction, it can be difficult to determine whether you are engaging in activities that result in discharges of dredge, fill or pollutants to a Water...more
On Thursday, May 28, 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit declined to stay on appeal a lower court ruling which has already had a nationwide impact on permitting of oil and gas pipelines that cross streams...more
The United States Supreme Court (“SCourt”) issued an April 23rd decision in County of Maui, Hawaii v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund, et al. See No. 18-260. The case involves whether, and to what extent, a discharge of pollutants...more
On August 28, 2019, the California Office of Administrative Law (“OAL”) approved the State Wetland Definition and Procedures for Discharges of Dredged or Fill Materials to Waters of the State (“Procedures”). Consequently, the...more
The scope of the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) has vexed the courts and lead agencies for over a decade. In one of the most significant environmental cases this year, on February 19, 2019, the Supreme Court granted the petition for...more
The United States Supreme Court granted a Petition for writ of certiorari in the 9th Circuit Decision Hawaii Wildlife Fund v. County of Maui, ____F. 3d____ (9th Cir., February 1, 2018). The case involves whether, and to...more
Land Use and Development Case Summaries (short form) - 1. PLANNING AND ZONING - CENTER FOR COMMUNITY ACTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE V. CITY OF MORENO VALLEY, 26 Cal. App. 5th 689 (2018) - Based on the language and...more
Last month the Trump Administration announced a proposed rule that would dramatically reduce the scope of federal authority under the Clean Water Act (“Act”). If finalized in its current form, the rule would eliminate federal...more
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (Vicksburg District) (“Corps”) issued a May 23rd public notice referencing a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit application. Section 404 of the Clean Water Act applies to...more
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and Fraticelli Oil Company (“FOC”) entered into an April 23rd Expedited Settlement Agreement (“ESA”) for alleged violation of Section 311(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act....more
A trilogy of recent federal and state enforcement actions show just how far agencies will go to enforce environmental regulations. Now may be a good time for a compliance audit....more
Have one or several playa lakes on or near a well pad in the Permian Basin? An access road nearby an ephemeral tributary of the Green River in the Uintah Basin? A pipeline that traverses lands dotted with prairie potholes in...more