A California appellate court held that a county correctly decided that a reclamation plan for a mining operation would not have a significant effect on the environment and properly approved the plan based on a negative declaration. The county provided a legally adequate description of the project, a...

A California appellate court reversed a lower court decision denying an environmental group's petition to challenge the urban water management plan for the Santa Clarita Valley. The plan provides that during dry periods, the water districts will take more water from groundwater deep below an aquifer...

The Louisiana Supreme Court threw out a $1.3 billion takings judgment awarded to oyster fishermen holding oyster leases in the Breton Sound area who allegedly suffered a compensable taking under the Louisiana Constitution as a result of the state's operation of a coastal restoration project that alt...

A California appellate court held that a discretionary decision by the state water resources control board as to whether to review a regional water resources control board's decision imposing administrative penalties is not subject to judicial review. The case arose after landowners were assessed a ...

A California appellate court reversed a lower court's dismissal of residents' petition for writ of mandamus challenging a county's approval of a residential development project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A "request for a hearing" under CEQA §21167.4 need not include ...

The Ninth Circuit held unripe nonprofit groups' action to obtain a declaration that a U.S. Department of Energy order that outlines the management of defense radioactive waste is invalid. Delayed review will not cause any real cognizable hardship, but intervention at this point would unduly interfer...

A California appellate court upheld the dismissal of an environmental group's suit challenging the state forest department's approval of six timber harvest plans. The department proceeded in the manner required by law in determining the geographic assessment area, and substantial evidence supports t...

A California appellate court held that under the state constitution and the state Water Code, an application for a permit to impound water in a reservoir must state, and the Water Board must determine, that an actual, intended beneficial use, in estimated amounts, will be made of the impounded water...

A California appellate court dismissed a preservation group's suit to enjoin a quarry project under a county initiative that requires new quarries outside an urban zone to be sanctioned by voters. The initiative does not apply to preexisting legal land uses and rights to development. Here, the count...

A California appellate court upheld the dismissal of a campground's suit against a reclamation district after intentional levee cuts by the district released floodwater onto the campground property. The district is entitled to immunity under the California Emergency Services Act and under the police...