Water
In Brief: Sonoma County Abandons Russian River Water Plan
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 18 September 2009 - 4:01pmNews from around the state: Sonoma County drops plans to take more water from the Russian River, angering cities; CSU Monterey Bay agrees to mitigate some of its off-campus impacts; Lake County may get a fourth Indian casino.
Court Clears Water District Consolidation Process
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 12 May 2009 - 11:59amThe San Bernardino Local Agency Formation Commission may proceed with the proposed consolidation of two water districts, the Second District Court of Appeal has ruled. The court rejected the argument of one district that the proposed consolidation is not subject to the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Government Reorganization Act and that the consolidation is actually a dissolution.
Commission Recommends State Water Boards Reform
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 27 February 2009 - 12:34pmThe state’s system for regulating water quality is failing, according to the Little Hoover Commission. In a recent report, the investigative panel concluded the current system managed by the State Water Resources Control Board and nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards lacks transparency, consistency and accountability, and that the system does not demonstrably improve water quality.
Court Defers To City On Water Study Methodology
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 19 December 2008 - 5:11pmCities, counties and public water agencies have broad discretion over the way they conduct water supply assessments for development projects that rely on groundwater, the First District Court of Appeal has ruled.
LAO Water Recommendations Touch Sensitive Areas
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 24 October 2008 - 9:49amState lawmakers need to decide what to do with the Bay Delta, “and soon,” the Legislative Analyst’s Office urges in a new report. The lengthy document released in late-October is mostly an overview of the state’s water system, but the report concludes with several potentially controversial recommendations.
Antelope Valley Water Shortage Slows Growth, Raises Questions
Submitted by Robin Andersen on 5 October 2008 - 4:50pmIn combination with the housing market crash, a water shortage has brought construction nearly to a halt in the Antelope Valley. Even if the market were to bounce back in the next year or two, it’s unclear that water providers could serve a substantial number of new homes and businesses.
Water Data Drought Prevents Good Planning, Report Finds
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 5 September 2008 - 12:17pmState laws approved seven years ago requiring water assurances for large development projects appear to be of minimal aid in determining whether the state and regions have enough water for the future. That’s the conclusion of a California Research Bureau (CRB) report released with zero fanfare in August.
Challenge To Water Supply Assessment Must Wait For EIR, Court Rules
Submitted by Paul Shigley on 19 May 2008 - 9:44amA water supply assessment provided by a water agency for a proposed development project is not subject to legal scrutiny until it becomes part of an environmental impact report, the Second District Court of Appeal has ruled.
Stormwater Regulations Proliferate
Submitted by Robin Andersen on 4 April 2008 - 12:11pmState water quality officials are continuing to press forward with more and more strict regulations for stormwater runoff. In response, planners and developers are worried about the cost of implementation and potentially unintended consequences.
Late Filing Doesn’t Cure Missed Deadline In Water Meter Lawsuit
Submitted by Bill Fulton on 29 May 2007 - 1:34pmA California Environmental Quality Act lawsuit over the City of Fresno’s move to metered water rates has been dismissed because attorneys missed a deadline.