Top water officials for the seven Colorado River Basin states met in December 2023 at the Colorado River Water Users Association conference to resume negotiating a new compromise for how they will share — and cut back on —...more
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 28.8 percent of the lower 48 states are in drought. At one point in 2022, almost half of the country was in a drought condition. The lack of precipitation plays havoc on the groundwater...more
How does California’s drought — or on the other end of the spectrum, an overabundance of water — impact our economy, infrastructure, and real estate development? David Osias and Barry Epstein, both partners at the law firm...more
The U.S .Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing tougher standards for fine particle pollution, sometimes known as soot. The proposed regulations announced on Friday would set maximum levels of 9 to 10 micrograms...more
In early November, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a case brought by the Navajo Nation that could have far-reaching impacts on tribal water rights in the Colorado River Basin....more
Governor Gavin Newsom announced a revamped water strategy on August 11, 2022, in response to updated projections that California could witness a 10% reduction in water supply by 2040 due to the accelerated impacts of climate...more
The American West is in the throes of a “megadrought”—one that’s plagued the region since 2000. Indeed, the Western U.S. has entered an era of water crisis that’s unprecedented in recorded American history. Due to climate...more
President-elect Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump could mean big changes for federal treatment of issues affecting water service providers, as well as how such issues are addressed in California, where Governor Newsom...more
New paper outlines transferable lessons from Cape Town drought - A new study by the University of Cape Town’s African Centre for Cities has unpacked lessons that other South African municipalities can learn from to adapt to...more
Join Nossaman attorneys and policy advisors for a timely discussion of proposed water efficiency laws that are changing the landscape of water resource management. This webinar for CLE credit* will update you on the...more
Urban water suppliers would face significant new requirements under water conservation and drought resiliency legislation proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown. The legislation, released in the form of budget trailer bill language...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - California extends emergency drought regulations despite heavy rain and snow - Sacramento Bee - Feb 8 - The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) on...more
On Friday, President Obama signed S. 612, the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act into law, a bipartisan bill authorizing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to execute water infrastructure projects. The...more
The State Water Resources Control Board released a fact sheet Wednesday detailing the information urban water suppliers will need to submit to receive a conservation standard adjustment under the recently adopted emergency...more