This year marks the 10th anniversary of a major milestone in California water law history: the enactment of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) in 2014. This landmark legislation signaled a critical step toward...more
January 2022 was a busy month for the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) issued remaining assessments for groundwater sustainability plans (GSPs) for critically...more
The wait is over for some Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs). The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) released the first Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) assessments for four basins yesterday, June 3,...more
Earlier this month, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) released the draft California’s Groundwater – Update 2020. According to DWR’s website...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
California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Postpones Some Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) Deadlines On March 18, 2020, DWR announced the postponement of the following three deadlines under SGMA, in light of...more
The Department of Water Resources released its draft groundwater basin prioritization for 57 groundwater basins this week. Comments can be submitted on the proposed prioritization for those basins until May 30....more
The Supreme Court of California has granted review of two cases to resolve a split among courts of appeal over whether the issuance of well permits pursuant to state standards is subject to CEQA. California Water Impact...more
In Environmental Law Foundation v. State Water Resources Control Board, the California Court of Appeal for the Third District on August 29, 2018 affirmed a district court’s application of the Public Trust Doctrine to the...more
On August 29, 2018, the Third Appellate District published its long-awaited opinion in Environmental Law Foundation v. State Water Resources Control Board (“ELF”), a case involving a challenge to Siskiyou County’s (“County”)...more
Farmers, ranchers and dairy professionals are now identified as being among the beneficial uses and users of groundwater whose interests must be considered under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. This is the result...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
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
On March 8, 2017, the State Water Quality Control Board (“SWRCB”) released a draft emergency regulation that would impose new fees on some groundwater extractors. Written comments are due by Friday, April 7, 2017. The...more
In a new regulatory step under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, the State Water Resources Control Board released a draft emergency regulation that sets fees for state intervention activities. Comments are due by...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Community and environmental groups sue South Coast Air District over rules adoption - Los Angeles Times - Mar 9 - Community groups and environmentalists filed suit this week...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Marin assemblymember proposes Australian water trading market approach to address drought - Marin Independent Journal - Feb 29 State Assemblymember Marc Levine, D-Marin County, has...more
On October 21, 2015, the California Water Commission (“CWC”) adopted emergency regulations formulated by the Department of Water Resources (“DWR”) that establish a process by which local agencies may seek groundwater basin...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Governor Brown authorizes streamlined groundwater: Allen Matkins - Oct 13: On Friday, October 9, 2015, Governor Brown signed a suite of bills that has the potential to significantly...more
In the last two months, Governor Brown has signed several bills into law, amending the 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA or the Act). Two bills, Assembly Bill 1390 and Senate Bill 226, addressed the specifics...more
Water was of such concern to the California Legislature that it led the roster of all bills introduced in 2015. Signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown, Assembly Bill 1 prohibits local governments, during times of drought, from...more
On August 29, 2014, the California Legislature cast the final votes necessary to move three companion groundwater management bills to the Governor's desk. If signed by Governor Brown, the bills will establish the...more
A triumvirate of bills that would establish California’s first-ever groundwater regulation law are now awaiting Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature. The bills, passed by the state Legislature on August 29, would establish the...more