[WEBINAR] Fairly (or Unfairly?) Traceable: Are Discharges Through Groundwater Subject to the Clean Water Act?
[VIDEO] The Price of an Aging Infrastructure on the Environment
Notwithstanding its protected status as a listed species under the federal Endangered Species Act, the Southern California steelhead population is proposed for listing under the California Endangered Species Act. During a...more
The State of Hawaii has not shown up on this blog before, but last week’s dam breach and evacuations have earned it a coveted spot. On March 8, the Kaupakalua Dam in Maui overtopped, prompting evacuation orders downstream....more
In a published opinion filed December 29, 2020, the First District Court of Appeal affirmed a judgment denying a petition for writ of mandate filed by the Santa Clara Valley Water District (District) challenging waste...more
On October 13, 2020, President Trump issued the Executive Order (EO) on Modernizing America’s Water Resource Management and Water Infrastructure. The goal of the EO is to streamline the management of federal water policy and...more
As a registered federal lobbyist I’m often asked to describe my job. Some days I describe it as an advocate; other days as an educator. I’ve also been known to liken it to being a translator or cruise director, but this past...more
The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018, included as title I of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (S. 3021), was signed into law yesterday. The new law provides the needed authorization for investment...more
Amidst much fanfare, on Friday President Trump released a Presidential Memoranda (much like an Executive Order, yet different?) directing Federal agencies to work together to reduce regulatory burdens on Western water...more
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE BILL - The chamber will resume consideration of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (S. 3021), a bill that would authorize funding for 15 water infrastructure projects related to flood...more
On September 21st the President signed an FY2019 “Minibus” into law (HR 5895) covering three of the twelve appropriations areas – energy and water, MilCon/VA, and legislative branch. The Energy and Water portion funds the...more
At last week’s Floodplain Management Association meeting in Reno, Nevada, the two of us planned and participated in a panel discussion on federal funding for flood control projects under the Trump administration. Attendees...more
All joking aside about a gridlocked Congress, real progress has been made this week on flood risk reduction authorizations and appropriations. As explained below, it is looking like the 2018 Water Resources Development Act...more
Bear Lake straddles the Utah-Idaho border. While it was originally an isolated, natural lake, improvements installed over a century ago connected the lake to the nearby Bear River and allowed it to be operated as a reservoir....more
In this interview-style discussion, State Water Contractors General Manager Jennifer Pierre sits down with Best Best & Krieger LLP Partner Stefanie Morris to discuss impacts of California's aging infrastructure on our...more
I often joke with my clients that following issues too closely at the federal level can result in whiplash. To that regard, it has been a very active summer in Washington, DC on the water infrastructure front. Here’s a rapid...more
On February 12, 2018, the White House unveiled its 55-page proposal for infrastructure investment, the Legislative Outline for Rebuilding Infrastructure. The sweeping proposal seeks to inject funding into several key areas...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Key legislative vote could force tech billionaire to sell public route to beach - San Jose Mercury News - Aug 30 - Lawmakers in Sacramento are considering a bill that could clear...more