Case Alerts

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Christina Berglund
June 12, 2026

FIRST DISTRICT UPHOLDS AWARD OF ATTORNEY FEES AGAINST INTERVENING PARTIES

Christina Berglund
June 4, 2026

FOURTH DISTRICT REJECTS RIGID DISCLOSURE DEADLINE FOR CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT REQUESTS; STATUTORY TIMEFRAME FOR MAKING RECORDS “PROMPTLY AVAILABLE” IS FLEXIBLE AND CONTEXT-SPECIFIC

Christina Berglund
May 2, 2026

CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT CLARIFIES LIMITS ON COASTAL COMMISSION JURISDCITION—AND REJECTS DEFERENCE ON LCP INTERPRETATION

Christina Berglund
April 12, 2026

“GOD SQUAD” EXEMPTS OIL AND GAS DRILLING IN THE GULF OF MEXICO FROM THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

Christina Berglund
March 16, 2026

COURT REJECTS DWR BOND VALIDATION FOR DELTA PROGRAM, HOLDING AGENCY EXCEEDED STATUTORY AUTHORITY

Christina Berglund
March 15, 2026

SUPREME COURT HOLDS PUBLIC RECORDS ACT ALLOWS FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF AND DOES NOT REQUIRE A RECORDS RETENTION PERIOD

Christina Berglund
March 14, 2026

NINTH CIRCUIT HOLDS EPA VIOLATED ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT IN FAILING TO CONSULT OVER CADMIUM WATER QUALITY RECOMMENDATION

Christina Berglund
January 30, 2026

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DELAYS MONARCH BUTTERFLY LISTING AND OTHER ENDANGERED SPECIES DECISIONS

rmmenviro
July 29, 2025

CALIFORNIA ENACTS CEQA AMENDMENTS TO HELP FACILITATE HOUSING

rmmenviro
July 7, 2025

U.S. SUPREME COURT NARROWLY CONSTRUES THE UNIVERSE OF INDIRECT EFFECTS TO BE ADDRESSED IN AN EIS UNDER NEPA

rmmenviro
July 7, 2025

FIFTH DISTRICT HOLDS THAT COURTS MUST ALWAYS CONSIDER REASONABLENESS IN WATER USE DISPUTES; ENVIRONMENTAL LITIGATION NOT EXEMPT FROM INJUNCTION BOND REQUIREMENT

rmmenviro
February 10, 2025

D.C. CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS FINDS COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY LACKS AUTHORITY TO ISSUE NEPA REGULATIONS

rmmenviro
February 7, 2025

THIRD DISTRICT UPHOLDS AWARD OF COSTS INCURRED BY RESPONDENT AGENCY FOR PREPARATION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD, DESPITE PETITIONERS’ ELECTION TO PREPARE THE RECORD

rmmenviro
January 10, 2025

D.C. CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS FINDS COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY LACKS AUTHORITY TO ISSUE NEPA REGULATIONS

rmmenviro
October 9, 2024

SIXTH DISTRICT HOLDS STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR CEQA CHALLENGE TO AN EIR RUNS FROM DATE OF FILING OF NOTICE OF DETERMINATION FOLLOWING AGENCY’S FINAL APPROVAL OF A PROJECT

rmmenviro
February 26, 2024

Environmental Organizations and Air District Secure Remand on Scope of CEQA Remedy in Case Challenging the Port of Los Angeles’ Air Pollution Mitigation Measures

Veronika Morrison
January 23, 2024

Third District Upholds the Department of Water Resources’ Long-Term Extensions of State Water Project Contracts under CEQA, the Delta Reform Act, and the Public Trust Doctrine

Louisa Rogers
November 8, 2023

SECOND DISTRICT HOLDS CULVER CITY ANTI-“MANSIONIZATION” ORDINANCE VIOLATES HOUSING CRISIS ACT OF 2019

Louisa Rogers
October 17, 2023

FOURTH DISTRICT HOLDS FAIR ARGUMENT STANDARD IS INAPPLICABLE TO CLAIM THAT HISTORICAL RESOURCE EXCEPTION PRECLUDES HISTORICAL RESOURCE CATEGORICAL CEQA EXEMPTION

Casey Shorrock
June 20, 2023

SECOND DISTRICT UPHOLDS CITY OF POMONA’S RELIANCE ON CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15183 EXEMPTION FOR APPROVAL OF A ZONING OVERLAY DISTRICT ALLOWING COMMERCIAL CANNABIS ACTIVITIES

Louisa Rogers
June 6, 2023

SECOND DISTRICT HOLDS REGIONAL WATER BOARDS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO EVALUATE UNREASONABLE USE OF WATER OR MAKE FINDINGS OF SIGNIFICANCE WHEN ISSUING WASTEWATER DISCHARGE PERMITS

Louisa Rogers
March 28, 2023

SECOND DISTRICT UPHOLDS CITY OF LOS ANGELES’ RELIANCE ON INFILL CEQA EXEMPTION FOR APPROVAL OF ELDERCARE FACILITY, REJECTS LOCAL ZONING AND COASTAL ACT CLAIMS

Christina Berglund
March 8, 2023

SECOND DISTRICT UPHOLDS CLASS 1 EXEMPTION FOR PROJECT TO EXPAND SINGLE-FAMILY HOME

Laura Harris
February 14, 2023

FOURTH DISTRICT HOLDS SUPPLEMENTAL EIR MAY BE REQUIRED FOR PROPOSED OFFICE COMPLEX BECAUSE GHG EMISSIONS WERE NOT WITHIN THE SCOPE OF EARLIER PROGRAM EIR; DUE TO UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES, PROJECT DID NOT QUALIFY FOR INFILL EXEMPTION

Veronika Morrison
January 3, 2023

Administrative Appeal Does Not Toll CEQA’s Statute of Limitations Where the Administrative Appeal Process Does Not Cover CEQA Issues

Veronika Morrison
December 28, 2022

SECOND DISTRICT HOLDS 90-DAY LIMITATIONS PERIOD FOR ACTIONS TO “ATTACK, REVIEW, SET ASIDE, VOID, OR ANNUL” LAND USE DECISIONS, RATHER THAN 4-YEAR PERIOD PROVIDED BY POLITICAL REFORM ACT, APPLIED TO ACTION CHALLENGING ALLEGEDLY CORRUPT PERMITTING DECISIONS

Veronika Morrison
December 22, 2022

FIRST DISTRICT UPHOLDS LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT IMPACT DETERMINATION FOR BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES BASED ON SURVEY THAT PREDATES THE NOP, AND ON PUBLIC SAFETY BASED ON CITY STAFF EXPERTISE

Casey Shorrock
October 30, 2022

IN A REVERSAL, SECOND DISTRICT FINDS CITY’S FAILURE TO INCLUDE CEQA EXEMPTION ON MEETING AGENDA VIOLATED THE BROWN ACT

Nathan George
August 8, 2022

California Supreme Court Holds that CEQA is Not Preempted by the Federal Power Act When Used to Make Decisions that are Outside Federal Jurisdiction or Compatible with the Federal Government’s Licensing Authority

Laura Harris
June 22, 2022

SIXTH DISTRICT HOLDS CEQA ACTION IS BARRED UNDER COVID-19 EMERGENCY RULE 9’S EXTENDED STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

Veronika Morrison
June 15, 2022

Third District Holds Bumble Bees are “fish” under the California Endangered Species Act, Can Be Listed as Endangered or Threatened Species

Veronika Morrison
May 30, 2022

Third District Holds EIR’s Project Objectives Were Too Narrow and Recirculation Was Required Due to Increase in Significant and Unavoidable GHG Emissions

Veronika Morrison
April 15, 2022

First District Holds Petitioner Exhausted Its Remedies by Raising General Objections That the Project Site Should Be Preserved as Open Space, Finds “No Project” Alternative Analysis Defective

Bridget McDonald
March 30, 2022

SECOND DISTRICT FINDS QUANTIFICATION OF EXISTING WATER RIGHTS NOT REQUIRED UNDER CEQA FOR WATER DIVERSION AND STORAGE PROJECT

Bridget McDonald
March 19, 2022

SECOND DISTRICT FINDS 90-DAY STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS APPLIES TO LAWSUIT ALLEGING CITY FAILED TO OBTAIN COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT PRIOR TO ADOPTING SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE

Bridget McDonald
March 1, 2022

THIRD DISTRICT PARTIALLY AFFIRMS JUDGMENTS SETTING ASIDE EIR FOR SPECIFIC PLAN LAND SWAP IN EASTERN PLACER COUNTY

Bridget McDonald
February 25, 2022

FIRST DISTRICT HOLDS RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH SPECIFIC PLAN AREA IS EXEMPT FROM FURTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW

Bridget McDonald
February 24, 2022

The Future of Wetlands and Waters of the United States: U.S. Supreme Court Grants Review of Sackett v. EPA

Nathan George
January 31, 2022

FOURTH DISTRICT UPHOLDS EIR FOR MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING PROJECT AND FINDS CITY PROPERLY USED A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PERMIT TO ALLOW A VARIATION FROM CONVENTIONAL ZONING REGULATIONS

Casey Shorrock
December 24, 2021

FIRST DISTRICT UPHOLDS STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD’S RELIANCE ON CEQA’s MINISTERIAL EXEMPTION FOR REGISTRATION OF APPROPRIATION OF WATER FOR DOMESTIC USE UNDER THE WATER RIGHTS PERMITTING REFORM ACT

Casey Shorrock
December 20, 2021

FOURTH DISTRICT UPHOLDS EIR FOR ROADWAY CONNECTION PROJECT AND HOLDS CITY’S QUASI-LEGISLATIVE APPROVALS WERE NOT SUBJECT TO PROCEDURAL DUE PROCESS REQUIREMENTS

Veronika Morrison
November 12, 2021

Third District Holds Order Requiring a Limited EIR Is Not an Appropriate Remedy Where a Project May Have Significant Impacts

Laura Harris
November 1, 2021

In a Procedurally-Dense Opinion, First District Court of Appeal Clarifies that Real Parties in CEQA Cases Are Not Always Indispensable Parties

Laura Harris
October 15, 2021

Fourth District Court of Appeal upholds determination that one group of utilities undergrounding projects is exempt from CEQA because of petitioner’s failure to exhaust, but remands for further consideration of GHG impacts from second group of utilities undergrounding projects

Bridget McDonald
October 1, 2021

THIRD DISTRICT FINDS EIR FOR OLYMPIC VALLEY RESORT PROJECT FAILED TO ADEQUATELY CONSIDER IMPACTS TO LAKE TAHOE’S UNIQUE ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES

Nathan George
August 19, 2021

Fifth District Court of Appeal Excuses Petitioner’s Failure to Exhaust Administrative Remedies, Holds that Unlined Landfills are Not “Facilities” for Purposes of the Class 1 Categorical Exemption

Nathan George
July 8, 2021

First District Court of Appeal Holds That a Necessary and Indispensable Party is Not Bound to a Tolling Agreement That It Did Not Sign

Nathan George
June 24, 2021

THIRD DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL DISMISSES PETITIONERS’ CHALLENGE TO A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION BECAUSE THE CLAIMS DID NOT ESTABLISH A FAIR ARGUMENT OF SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS.

Veronika Morrison
June 14, 2021

SB 7 – Jobs and Economic Improvement Through Environmental Leadership Act of 2021

Veronika Morrison
June 14, 2021

First District Court of Appeal Reverses Denial of Mixed-Use Affordable Housing Project’s Ministerial Approval Under Government Code Section 65913.4

Veronika Morrison
June 11, 2021

Third District Court of Appeal Holds That a Responsible Agency’s Decision to Prepare a Supplemental EIR Does Not Require It to Step in as a Lead Agency

Bridget McDonald
April 15, 2021

Sixth District Holds City’s Failure to Send Notice of Determination Did Not Excuse Plaintiff’s Failure to Name Indispensable Party Within Limitations Period

Bridget McDonald
February 12, 2021

First District Holds Regional Water Quality Control Board’s Failure to Impose Mitigation Requirements Through CEQA Process Did Not Preclude it from Later Imposing Those Requirements Pursuant to Its Authority Under the Porter-Cologne Act

Casey Shorrock
August 26, 2020

Third District Court of Appeal Holds that the County Relied on the Incorrect Prior EIR in Subsequent Review for a Partial Road Abandonment

Bridget McDonald
August 7, 2020

Fourth District Holds that Agencies May Not Destroy, But Rather Must Retain All Writings Required by CEQA’s Administrative Record Statute.

Christina Berglund
April 27, 2020

Federal District Court Holds the United States Army Corps of Engineers Violated the Endangered Species Act in Reissuing Nationwide Permit 12 Without Initiating Section 7 Consultation

Christina Berglund
April 27, 2020

Second District Court of Appeal Upholds Dismissal of CEQA Action as Untimely

Christina Berglund
April 21, 2020

Second District Court of Appeal Upholds EIR for Refinery Project

Nathan George
April 15, 2020

Fourth District Reverses Dismissal, Holds Streets and Highway Code Does Not Exempt Caltrans Project from CEQA Review, and Petition Adequately Pled Equitable Estoppel

Nathan George
April 14, 2020

Second District Court of Appeal Upholds Ruling that Mitigation Measures are Inadequate and EIR is Required for Mixed-Use Development Project in Agoura Hills

Nathan George
April 14, 2020

Second District Court of Appeal upholds trial court’s denial of attorney fees after the County granted applicant’s request to vacate permit approvals for a single-family home.

Bridget McDonald
January 13, 2020

Fifth District Court of Appeal Upholds Air Pollution Control District As Proper Lead Agency, Finds Permit Requirements Provide Substantial Evidence For EIR Emissions Estimates, And Holds EIR Lacked “Reasoned Analysis” For Rejecting Additional Mitigation Measures

Collin McCarthy
November 7, 2019

Fourth District Affirms California Coastal Commission’s Authority to Impose Conditions on Coastal Development Permits Under Local Coastal Programs

Elizabeth Pollock
October 11, 2019

Fourth District Court of Appeal Holds City’s Scenic View Ordinance Is Considered a Zoning Ordinance under Gov. Code Section 65901 and Therefore Subject to 90-Day Service Deadline for Petition in Section 65009

Laura Harris
August 7, 2019

In First Opinion Addressing a Sustainable Communities Environmental Assessment, the Third District Upholds the City of Sacramento’s Approval of an Infill Project

Laura Harris
July 26, 2019

Second District Upholds City of Los Angeles’ Determination That EIR Not Required to Assess Population or Housing Impacts for Hotel Project on Site of Vacant Former Apartment Building

Collin McCarthy
May 13, 2019

Third District Awards Costs and Fees Where Partially Successful Plaintiffs Obtained Primary Litigation Objective, Justifying Entitlement to Recovery

rmmenviro
April 2, 2019

Sierra Club v. County of Fresno

rmmenviro
April 2, 2019

Georgetown Preservation Society v. County of El Dorado

rmmenviro
April 2, 2019

High Sierra Rural Alliance v. County of Plumas

rmmenviro
April 2, 2019

Westsiders Opposed to Overdevelopment v. City of Los Angeles

Christina Berglund
April 2, 2019

First District Court of Appeal Upholds EIR for Mixed-Use Development Project

Sara Dudley
January 10, 2019

California Supreme Court holds that CEQA requires EIRs to show a reasonable effort to substantively connect a project’s air quality impacts to likely health impacts

Sara Dudley
January 3, 2019

Third District Holds EIR Is Required When Lay Opinion Supports Fair Argument of Aesthetic Impacts

Elizabeth Sarine
October 29, 2018

First District Court of Appeal Allows City to Recover Costs of “Extracting” and Producing Video Recordings Requested Under the California Public Records Act

Laura Harris
October 29, 2018

First District Finds CEQA Claim Timely Filed in Case Challenging Approval of Tree Removal

Nathan George
October 17, 2018

Second District Upholds City’s Interpretation of Its Charter Allowing General Plan Amendment for Transit Oriented Development Project

Nathan George
October 5, 2018

Fourth District Finds San Diego County’s Climate Change Guidance Document Contains Improperly Adopted Thresholds of Significance that Violate CEQA and a Previously Issued Writ of Mandate

Sara Dudley
October 5, 2018

First District Holds that Claims that Could Have Been Raised in Prior Litigation Are Barred by the Doctrine of Res Judicata

Christina Berglund
September 28, 2018

Fourth District Court of Appeal Holds City’s Use of Historical Baseline Legally Erroneous

Nathan George
September 18, 2018

Fourth District Upholds Negative Declaration, Finding No “Fair Argument” of Land Use Impacts

Nathan George
August 29, 2018

First District Court of Appeal upholds EIR for San Francisco’s Housing Element

Laura Harris
July 31, 2018

Second District Upholds Award for Costs Incurred by Agency in Taking Over Preparation of Administrative Record from Petitioner

Sara Dudley
June 6, 2018

Second District Upholds Fee Award on Unsuccessful CEQA Claims

Elizabeth Pollock
May 14, 2018

Responses to Comments on a Draft EIR Carry the Day in Challenge to Oil Refinery EIR

rmmenviro
May 14, 2018

RMM Successfully Defends Sustainable Communities Project Against Multiple Challenges

rmmenviro
May 14, 2018

RMM Successfully Defends Metro’s Board on 710 North Gap Project

Laura Harris
April 16, 2018

Eastern District of California Upholds Biological Opinion for Yuba River Dams Against Federal Endangered Species Act Challenge

Sabrina Teller
January 25, 2018

OPR Initiates Rulemaking Process for First Comprehensive Update to the CEQA Guidelines in Twenty Years, Affecting Several Areas of Analysis

Sabrina Teller
January 17, 2018

Salmon Advocates Reel in Victory under CESA in Third District

Sabrina Teller
January 16, 2018

Fourth District Court of Appeal Upholds Reliance on Mitigated Negative Declaration and Approval of Construction of School

rmmenviro
January 9, 2018

Friends of the College of San Mateo Gardens v. San Mateo County Community College District II

rmmenviro
January 9, 2018

Placerville Historic Preservation League v. Judicial Council of California

Laura Harris
December 21, 2017

On Remand, Fourth District Determines that Case Challenging SANDAG’s RTP Is Not Mooted by Later EIR and Resolves CEQA Issues on the Merits

rmmenviro
November 30, 2017

Fifth District Court of Appeal Approves of Oil Refinery EIR’s Use of Cap-and-Trade Program to Mitigate GHG Emissions, But Disapproves of Kern County’s Reliance on Federal Preemption in Failing to Analyze Off-Site Rail Activities

Tiffany Wright
November 30, 2017

In a Case of First Impression, First District Court of Appeal Holds That Presentation of Five Alternatives in EIR, Without Designation of One as the ‘Project,’ Does Not Satisfy CEQA’s Requirement for a Stable Project Description

Laura Harris
November 13, 2017

Fourth District Rejects Challenge to the City of Huntington Beach’s Housing Element, Applying Charter City Exemption

Laura Harris
October 10, 2017

First Circuit Finds Environmental Review Under Certified Regulatory Program Inadequate

Laura Harris
September 18, 2017

Streamlined Yet Underutilized: CEQA’s Class 32 Urban Infill Exemption

Laura Harris
June 2, 2017

City’s Decision to Deny Mitigated Negative Declaration Upheld For Small San Diego Subdivision

Laura Harris
May 30, 2017

Use It or Lose It? CEQA’s Bicycle Transportation Exemptions and Legislative Efforts to Preserve Them

Laura Harris
May 15, 2017

First District Applies Fair Argument Standard of Review to Addendum to Negative Declaration on Remand from Supreme Court in Friends of the College of San Mateo Gardens

Laura Harris
May 12, 2017

First District Rules That Issuing Erosion-Control Permit Under Sonoma County Ordinance Was Ministerial Act Exempt From CEQA

rmmenviro
May 4, 2017

Mission Bay Alliance v. Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure

rmmenviro
May 4, 2017

Banning Ranch Conservancy v. City of Newport Beach

Howard Wilkins
May 1, 2017

Despite Being a “Successful Party,” Real Party in Interest Denied Attorneys’ Fee Award by Fourth District

Laura Harris
April 25, 2017

Fifth District Rules CARB Acted in Bad Faith in Selecting Baseline for Analysis of Low Carbon Fuel Standards Regulations

Howard Wilkins
April 20, 2017

Second District Holds that Failure to Lodge Administrative Record Barred Post-Trial Relief

rmmenviro
March 30, 2017

California Supreme Court Holds that CEQA Requires EIRs for Projects Located within Coastal Zones to Identify Potential “Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas” as Defined by the California Coastal Act.

Laura Harris
March 24, 2017

Fourth District Upholds EIR for Master-Planned Community and Concludes That County Not Required to Recirculate

Howard Wilkins
March 6, 2017

California Air Resources Board 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan Update Issued

rmmenviro
March 6, 2017

High Court Reverses Appellate Decision Limiting Use of Delisting Petitions under the California Endangered Species Act, But Avoids Reaching Merits of Fish and Game Commission’s Decision Denying Delisting Petition for Coho Salmon

Howard Wilkins
March 6, 2017

California Supreme Court Rules Personal Emails May Be Considered Public Records Subject to Disclosure Under the Public Records Act

rmmenviro
January 3, 2017

The First Appellate District Applies Supreme Court’s Decision in Friends of the College of San Mateo Gardens v. San Mateo Community College District in Upholding Muni’s Approval of a Contract to Install Remaining 900 Feet of Light-Rail Line

rmmenviro
December 19, 2016

California Supreme Court Rules that Land Use Designation Made by Decades-Old Resolution, but Not Referenced in General Plan Is Not Part of the General Plan

rmmenviro
November 30, 2016

EIR for Mission Bay Warriors Arena Upheld by Court of Appeal

Tiffany Wright
September 23, 2016

Fifth District Court of Appeal Disagrees, in Part, with “Hayward Area Planning” Decision and Awards Costs for Record Preparation to Real Party in Interest

Howard Wilkins
September 23, 2016

California Continues its Leadership in the Fight Against Climate Change

rmmenviro
September 21, 2016

Friends of the College of San Mateo Gardens v. San Mateo County Community College District

Tiffany Wright
September 15, 2016

First District Court of Appeal Applies Substantial Evidence Standard of Review to Subsequent MND and Upholds County’s Decision to Permit Expansion of Buddhist Retreat Center

rmmenviro
September 14, 2016

Sixth District Court of Appeal Upholds EIR for a Quarry Reclamation Plan, Rejecting Arguments Under CEQA and SMARA

Howard Wilkins
August 18, 2016

The Council on Environmental Quality Finalizes Guidance Directing Agencies to Consider Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in NEPA Reviews

Sabrina Teller
August 3, 2016

Fourth District Court of Appeal Upholds Mitigated Negative Declaration Against Urban Decay Challenge—Lay Witness Opinion Not Substantial Evidence of Economic Impacts

Sabrina Teller
August 3, 2016

First District Court of Appeal Holds that the Discovery Rule Does Not Apply to Challenges Brought Under Public Resources Code § 21167

Sabrina Teller
July 18, 2016

First District Court of Appeal Upholds EIR for Plan Bay Area that Correctly Excluded Statewide Emissions Reductions in Developing Strategies to Meet SB 375’s Emissions Targets

Sabrina Teller
July 14, 2016

Fourth District Court of Appeals Finds an Addendum Cannot Cure an Inadequate Certified EIR

Howard Wilkins
June 30, 2016

Fourth District Court of Appeal Holds Wal-Mart Project Inconsistent with General Plan Renewable Energy Requirements; CEQA Required City to Recirculate the EIR based on 350-Pages of New Analysis

rmmenviro
March 25, 2016

Fourth District Court of Appeal Upholds Mitigated Negative Declaration for Small Residential Project, Finding that Evidence of Psychological and Social Impacts is Insufficient to Require the Preparation of an EIR

rmmenviro
October 27, 2015

Beverly Hills Unified School District v. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

rmmenviro
October 14, 2015

Fourth District Court of Appeal Upholds Traffic Baseline Derived from Historical Occupancy of Shopping Center as Opposed to the “Existing Conditions”

rmmenviro
September 18, 2015

First District Rules that State Lands Commission’s Approval of a Land Exchange Agreement Not Exempt from CEQA; Exhaustion Requirement Did Not Apply.

rmmenviro
July 16, 2015

Fourth District Court of Appeal Denies Motion for Attorneys’ Fees Finding Petitioner Was Not the Catalyst for City’s Revocation of Land Use Entitlements

rmmenviro
June 25, 2015

Keep Our Mountains Quiet v. County of Santa Clara

rmmenviro
May 15, 2015

Sixth District Court of Appeal Affirms County Violated CEQA in Adopting Mitigated Negative Declaration

rmmenviro
May 15, 2015

State Water Board Votes to Adopt its Emergency Regulations

rmmenviro
May 7, 2015

California Supreme Court Schedules Oral Argument in City of San Diego v. Board of Trustees of the California State University

rmmenviro
April 2, 2015

In a Mercifully Brief Opinion, Court Holds that the Regional Water Quality Control Board May Establish Pollution Limits for Water as well as Sediment in Water Bodies in California

rmmenviro
March 4, 2015

Fourth District Holds Storm Drainage Repair and Subsequent Revegetation Project Properly Exempted from CEQA

rmmenviro
March 3, 2015

Third District Court of Appeal Upholds EIR for Sacramento Kings’ Downtown Arena Project

rmmenviro
February 18, 2015

EPA Releases Final Wetland Connectivity Report Clarifying “Significant Nexus”

rmmenviro
February 17, 2015

Third Appellate District Upholds Department of Fish and Wildlife EIR, But Finds Department Violated APA in Adopting Underground Regulations

rmmenviro
January 20, 2015

DWR Increases Water Deliveries to State Agencies

rmmenviro
January 16, 2015

National Marine Fisheries Service Reverses Finding that CWA Streamlined Permitting Program Could Create Jeopardy Under ESA

rmmenviro
January 14, 2015

US EPA Delays Rollout of New Clean Power Rules

rmmenviro
January 14, 2015

First District Holds Timber Management Plan Does Not Violate CEQA

rmmenviro
December 18, 2014

Fifth District Court of Appeal Upholds EIR Prepared for Large Mine Project in Fresno County

rmmenviro
December 17, 2014

Second District Holds County Violated CEQA by Increasing Project Building Height without Issuing a Supplemental EIR

rmmenviro
December 15, 2014

Fish and Wildlife Commission Grants Emergency Petition to List the Tricolored Blackbird

rmmenviro
December 8, 2014

Divided Appellate Panel Rejects San Diego Regional Transportation Plan EIR for Failure to Apply an Executive Order’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Target

rmmenviro
November 4, 2014

Fourth District decision holds San Diego’s Climate Action Plan violates CEQA

rmmenviro
October 15, 2014

Petition for Writ of Certiorari Submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court Contesting the Ninth Circuit’s Decision Upholding USFWS’s Biological Opinion on Delta Smelt

rmmenviro
September 30, 2014

Reasonably necessary attorney and paralegal time recoverable as costs of preparing the record of proceeding

rmmenviro
September 26, 2014

Third Appellate District requires preparation of an EIR for approval of a tentative subdivision map

rmmenviro
August 20, 2014

First District Upholds Approval of Parkmerced Redevelopment Project in San Francisco

rmmenviro
August 6, 2014

California Clean Energy Committee v. City of Woodland

rmmenviro
August 6, 2014

Citizens for a Sustainable Treasure Island v. City and County of San Francisco

rmmenviro
July 30, 2014

Fifth District Court of Appeal Upholds EIR for Wind Farm in Kern County

rmmenviro
July 8, 2014

South County Citizens for Smart Growth v. County of Nevada

rmmenviro
July 8, 2014

Citizens for a Green San Mateo v. San Mateo County Community College District

rmmenviro
July 2, 2014

Court Holds Petition Over Tree Removal in Community College Expansion Project Came Too Late

rmmenviro
June 22, 2014

President Obama Signs the Water Resources Reform and Development Act

rmmenviro
June 5, 2014

EPA Sets Emission Reduction Goals for Power Plants

rmmenviro
June 3, 2014

Fifth District Court of Appeal Rejects Claims that Active Adult Housing Project Conflicts with Fresno County’s General Plan, but Concludes EIR for the Project Failed to Provide Sufficient Detail Regarding Air Quality Impacts on Human Health

rmmenviro
June 2, 2014

Ninth Circuit Upholds EIS for Southern California Delivery of Colorado River Water

rmmenviro
May 12, 2014

Ninth Circuit Issues Injunction for Oregon Logging Project

rmmenviro
May 12, 2014

Trial Court Rejects Challenge to EIR for Cadiz Valley Groundwater Recovery Project in San Bernardino County, Appeal Likely to Follow

rmmenviro
April 24, 2014

EPA Interprets its Clean Water Act Jurisdiction in Proposed Rule

rmmenviro
April 15, 2014

OPR Solicits Input in Effort to Improve State Groundwater Management

rmmenviro
April 4, 2014

Third Appellate District Court Finds Analysis of Urban Decay and Energy Impacts in a Programmatic EIR for Commercial Development Fails to Comply with CEQA

rmmenviro
April 4, 2014

Second District Court of Appeal Holds EIR/EIS for the Newhall Ranch Resource Management and Development Plan and Spineflower Conservation Plan Complies with CEQA

rmmenviro
March 25, 2014

Second Appellate District Upholds Coastal Commission Development Permit Containing Lateral Public Access Easement

rmmenviro
March 18, 2014

Sacramento Superior Court finds narrow CEQA violation in EIR prepared to address Monterey Amendments to operation of the State Water Project.

rmmenviro
March 7, 2014

CA Legislature and Governor Brown Enact Extensive Drought Relief Plan

rmmenviro
February 22, 2014

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Rejects NEPA Challenge to High-Speed Rail Project in Hawaii

rmmenviro
January 29, 2014

Court of Appeal Holds Coastal Commission is Coastal Permitting Agency for Santa Monica Mountains

rmmenviro
January 17, 2014

Unpublished Court of Appeal Decision Holds Rival Theater Owners Cannot Recover Attorney’s Fees Under Private Attorney General Doctrine

rmmenviro
January 17, 2014

Governor Brown Declares a Drought State of Emergency

rmmenviro
January 15, 2014

Court of Appeal Upholds Spot Zoning to Allow for Senior Housing

rmmenviro
January 15, 2014

USFWS Extends Eagle Take Permits to 30 Years

rmmenviro
January 6, 2014

First District Publishes Decision Upholding San Francisco’s Expansion of Plastic Bag Restrictions

rmmenviro
December 31, 2013

Court of Appeal Rules City of Berkeley Did Not Need EIR for Downtown Construction Project

rmmenviro
November 27, 2013

Sacramento Superior Court Finds State Water Resources Control Board Fees Not Fairly Distributed Among Permit Holders

rmmenviro
November 11, 2013

Third District publishes opinion in South County Citizens for Smart Growth v. County of Nevada

rmmenviro
October 29, 2013

West Coast Government Leaders Announce Landmark Climate Policy Accord

rmmenviro
October 17, 2013

U.S. Supreme Court Takes Up the Issue of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulation in Coalition for Responsible Regulation v. EPA

rmmenviro
October 14, 2013

Neighbors for Smart Rail v. Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority

rmmenviro
October 10, 2013

Clean Water Act Jurisdiction Possibly on Tap for Isolated Wetlands, Small Streams, Ponds, Vernal Pools, Prairie Potholes and Other Water Bodies

rmmenviro
October 9, 2013

Governor signs SB 743, the “Kings Arena” CEQA bill

rmmenviro
August 29, 2013

Fourth District Upholds EIR Prepared for Boutique Winery Ordinance, But Holds Certain Transcript Costs Not Recoverable as Record Costs

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August 29, 2013

Third District Court of Appeal Finds EIR’s Greenhouse Gas Analysis for Wal-Mart Super Center Deficient for Improper Application of Significance Threshold

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August 20, 2013

First District Holds That Air District’s Adoption of Significance Thresholds for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Is Not a CEQA Project and Does Not Require an EIR

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August 8, 2013

The California Supreme Court Upholds Certification of EIR for Light-Rail Project Even Though the Majority Determined the EIR Should Have Analyzed the Project’s Impacts Against a Baseline of Existing Conditions Instead of Using a Future Conditions Baseline

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August 6, 2013

First District Finds EIR Deficient for Failing to Consider the Use of Agricultural Conservation Easements and In-Lieu Fees as Mitigation for the Project’s Conversion of Farmland to Nonagricultural Use

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July 30, 2013

Supreme Court Holds GIS-Formatted Database is a Public Record that Must be Produced under the California Public Records Act

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July 19, 2013

Sixth District Finds CEQA Action Barred by 30-Day Statute of Limitations in Government Code Section 65457, Which Prevails Over an Earlier-Enacted and Less-Specific Statute of Limitations in CEQA That May Conflict

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July 15, 2013

Fifth District Court of Appeal Holds “Common-Interest” Doctrine Cannot Apply to Protect Disclosures Between a Lead Agency and a Developer before Project Approval

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July 1, 2013

Sixth District Upholds EIR and Cancellation of Williamson Act Contracts for Solar Farm Project

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June 12, 2013

Sixth District Court of Appeal Remands for Further Review Trial Court Decision Invalidating City’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance.

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May 31, 2013

Alliance for the Protection of the Auburn Community Environment v. County of Placer

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May 31, 2013

Habitat and Watershed Caretakers v. City of Santa Cruz

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May 31, 2013

North Coast Rivers Alliance v. Marin Municipal Water District

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May 24, 2013

First District Court of Appeal Upholds EIR for Marin Desalination Plant

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May 6, 2013

Fourth District Court of Appeal Requires EIR for Upgrade of High School’s Athletic Facilities Because the Project May Cause Significant Impacts on Parking and Traffic

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April 4, 2013

Third District Court of Appeal Upholds Trial Court’s Conclusion that Petition for Writ of Mandate Challenging Placer County’s Approval of a Development Project is Time-Barred under CEQA

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March 22, 2013

NEPA/CEQA Project Integration Handbook Available for Public Comment

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March 11, 2013

Decision to List Polar Bear as Threatened Species under the Endangered Species Act Affirmed.

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December 13, 2012

Banning Ranch Conservancy v. City of Newport Beach

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December 3, 2012

Sixth District Court of Appeal Finds Inadequate EIR’s Description of Project Objectives and Analysis of Alternatives for Amendment to Sphere of Influence

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November 16, 2012

Third District Court of Appeal Finds Plaintiff’s Claims Time-Barred under Government Code Section 65009 Because the Suit was not Commenced Within 90 Days After Project Approval

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November 9, 2012

Fourth District Court of Appeal Holds a City May Adopt Revisions to Its Housing Element That Create Inconsistencies With the General Plan If the City Also Adopts a Timeline for Proposed Changes to the General Plan That Correct Those Inconsistencies

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October 30, 2012

Third District Court of Appeal Holds that Stormwater Discharge from a Construction Site into Ephemeral Ditches which are Tributaries to Waters of the United States is a Violation of the Clean Water Act.

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August 2, 2012

Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals holds U.S Bureau of Reclamation renewal of water service contracts not discretionary and therefore not subject to Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act

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July 19, 2012

Second District Court of Appeal Confirms Public Entity Litigant’s Non-pecuniary Interests Irrelevant in Evaluating Award of Attorneys’ Fees under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1021.5

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July 2, 2012

First District Finds EIR for California State University East Bay Campus Inadequate with Respect to Analysis of Impacts to Parkland

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June 19, 2012

Second District Orders Publication of Additional Sections of Opinion in Neighbors for Smart Rail v. Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority (2012) 205 Cal.App.4th 552

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June 18, 2012

Citizens for Open Government v. City of Lodi

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June 18, 2012

Salmon Protection & Watershed Network v. County of Marin

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June 18, 2012

Tomlinson v. County of Alameda

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June 14, 2012

Second District Court of Appeal Holds that Challenge to Project is Time-Barred, Since Statute of Limitations Starts Running with Initial Lease Approval, Not Subsequent Execution of Lease

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May 4, 2012

First District Determines Local Land Use Ordinance Does Not Violate Map Act and Properly Characterized Certain Approvals as Ministerial Acts Exempt from CEQA.

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May 3, 2012

Fifth District Rules Administrative Record Must Include Audio Tapes of Public Proceeding Where No Transcript Is Available, As Well As Certain Materials Held by Primary Consultants

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April 30, 2012

Third District Finds Trial Court Committed Non-Prejudicial Error When It Excluded Documents from Record Under the Deliberative Process Privilege, Upholds Revised EIR Against Other CEQA Challenges

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April 19, 2012

Second District Upholds Agency Use of Projected Future Condition for Environmental Baseline

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April 10, 2012

Fifth District Finds Irrigation District has Standing Under CEQA to Challenge Environmental Review Document

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January 24, 2012

Planning & Conservation League v. Castaic Lake Water Agency

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January 24, 2012

Committee for Green Foothills v. Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors

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January 24, 2012

Stockton Citizens for Sensible Planning v. City of Stockton

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January 24, 2012

Save the Plastic Bag Coalition v. City of Manhattan Beach

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January 16, 2012

Fifth District Holds EIR Inadequate for Using Future Baseline Traffic Conditions, Failure to Address Water Supply Issues, and Inadequate Mitigation for Cultural Resources Impacts

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January 16, 2012

Sixth District Allows Use of Background Conditions and Future Growth Factors in Traffic Baseline, Backing Away From Recent Cases Rejecting Use of Future Conditions

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January 16, 2012

Third District Upholds Dismissal of CEQA Petition Where Petitioner Corporation Had Been Suspended Until After Statute of Limitations Had Run

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January 16, 2012

Fourth District Rules CSU Has Obligation to Consider Alternative Funding Sources to State Appropriation to Pay Fair Share of Mitigation Costs

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January 16, 2012

First District Upholds State Lands Commission’s Use of Environmental Baseline for Renewal of Existing Marine Terminal Operations

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January 12, 2012

California Native Plant Society v. County of El Dorado

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January 12, 2012

California Native Plant Society v. City of Rancho Cordova

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January 12, 2012

California Native Plant Society v. City of Santa Cruz

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January 12, 2012

Sustainable Transportation Advocates of Santa Barbara v. Santa Barbara County Association of Governments

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January 11, 2012

St. Vincent’s School for Boys, Catholic Charities CYO v. City of San Rafael

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January 10, 2012

Vineyard Area Citizens for Responsible Growth v. City of Rancho Cordova

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January 9, 2012

Friends of the Sierra Railroad v. Tuolumne Park and Recreation District

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January 8, 2012

Save Our Neighborhood v. Lishman

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January 7, 2012

The Pocket Protectors v. City of Sacramento

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January 6, 2012

Association for Sensible Development at Northstar, Inc. v. Placer County

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January 5, 2012

Sierra Club v. County of Napa

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January 4, 2012

CalBeach Advocates v. City of Solana Beach

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January 3, 2012

Californians Against Waste v. Department of Conservation

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January 2, 2012

Friends of Davis v. City of Davis

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January 1, 2012

Riverwatch v. County of San Diego

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December 31, 2011

Hewlett v. Squaw Valley Ski Corp.

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December 30, 2011

Chaparral Greens v. City of Chula Vista

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December 29, 2011

Stanislaus Audubon Society, Inc. v. County of Stanislaus

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December 28, 2011

Natural Resources Defense Council v. California Fish & Game Commission

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December 27, 2011

Sacramento County v. Local Agency Formation Commission

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December 26, 2011

City of Sacramento v. State Water Resources Control Board

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December 25, 2011

Oro Fino Gold Mining Corp. v. County of El Dorado

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December 24, 2011

Kings County Farm Bureau v. City of Hanford

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December 23, 2011

Midway Orchards v. County of Butte

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December 22, 2011

Californians for Native Salmon and Steelhead Association et al. v. Department of Forestry

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December 20, 2011

Citizens for Quality Growth v. City of Mt. Shasta

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December 19, 2011

Paul Baily et al. v. County of El Dorado

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December 18, 2011

Environmental Planning & Information Council v. Superior Court (Detmold Publishing)

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December 17, 2011

Environmental Council of Sacramento v. County of Sacramento

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December 16, 2011

Environmental Planning & Information Council v. County of El Dorado

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December 15, 2011

Perley v. County of Calaveras

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December 14, 2011

Rural Land Owners’ Association v. City of Lodi

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December 13, 2011

Sutter Sensible Planning, Inc. v. County of Sutter