A California Superior Court judge ruled last week that Sonoma County must do more to ensure responsible groundwater pumping under the state’s Public Trust Doctrine, which holds that rivers, creeks, and other waterways are...more
State Water Project will deliver no water to most communities next year - The Mercury News – December 1 - In a stark indicator of California’s worsening drought, Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration announced this...more
U.S. to resume enforcement of unlawful bird deaths by industry - Associated Press – September 29 - The Biden administration said Wednesday that it will draft rules under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act over the next...more
Biden picks North Carolina environmental chief to lead EPA - Associated Press – December 17 - President-elect Joe Biden this Thursday selected Michael S. Regan to serve as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental...more
Montage Healdsburg resort faces $6.4 million fine for construction stormwater-related violations - Bullet The Press-Democrat – September 15 - The developer of the Montage Healdsburg hotel in Sonoma County is facing...more
Federal court blocks Interior Department’s relaxation of migratory bird safeguards - U.S. News & World Report – August 12 - The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York this Tuesday struck down a U.S....more
Federal agencies to limit water pollution enforcement where states have taken action - Bullet The Hill – July 27 - The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday released a memorandom stating that it will not pursue...more
In Cities v. Fossil Fuels, Exxon's Allies Want the Accusers Investigated - "Now two industry-friendly groups are turning the tables and asking the SEC to investigate the cities and counties for possible fraud." Why this...more
Oil World Turns Upside Down as U.S. Sells Oil in Middle East - "Yet, in a trade that illustrates how the rise of the American shale industry is upending energy markets across the globe, the U.A.E. bought oil directly from...more
This is the first update on environmental regulatory and legal developments in Los Angeles and adjacent counties, as well as the Southern San Joaquin l Valley. Let us know what you think. Your comments on this Update will...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Proposed ballot initiative would shift funding from high speed rail to new water projects - Los Angeles Times - Feb 15 - The state’s powerful agriculture industry and its...more
Environmental and Policy Focus: San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board amends regional MS4 permit to provide alternate compliance: Allen Matkin - Nov 19: On Wednesday afternoon, the San Diego Regional Water...more
Hydraulic fracturing, also known as “fracking,” has come under scrutiny for its potential impacts on water, including the risks to water quality and the amount of water used in the practice. California’s new regulations on...more
Most of the media has been consumed with talk of a proposed severance tax on oil and gas production, but meanwhile in Sacramento another tax on oil and gas production is being poised to take effect -- funding requests to...more