• Blog

Fifth District Strikes Down SWRCB’s New Whole Effluent Toxicity Test as Applied to Federal Clean Water Act Permitting, But Upholds Toxicity Provisions’ Under CEQA and Porter-Cologne

• rmmenviro

• October 15, 2025

• Blog

SECOND DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL INVALIDATES EIR FOR SPECIFIC PLAN PROJECT BASED ON DEFECTIVE ANALYSIS IF GHG AND WILDFIRE IMPACTS

• rmmenviro

• August 18, 2025

• Blog

CALIFORNIA ENACTS CEQA AMENDMENTS TO HELP FACILITATE HOUSING

• rmmenviro

• July 29, 2025

• Blog

THIRD DISTRICT CLARIFIES LIMITS ON PERMIT CHECKLISTS UNDER THE PERMIT STREAMLINING ACT

• rmmenviro

• July 7, 2025

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• July 7, 2025

• Blog

Fourth District Court of Appeal Strikes Down San Diego County’s VMT Significance Thresholds

• rmmenviro

• May 12, 2025

• Blog

First District Court of Appeal Clarifies CEQA’s Consultation Requirements Under AB 52

• rmmenviro

• May 12, 2025

• Blog

FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL HOLDS POST-FEIR WILDFIRE IMPACT ANALYSIS LEGALLY DEFICIENT

• rmmenviro

• February 10, 2025

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• February 10, 2025

• Blog

SECOND DISTRICT HOLDS AGENCY’S ADOPTION OF A MODIFIED PROJECT THAT DEVIATED FROM THAT DESCRIBED IN THE EIR DID NOT RENDER THE PROJECT DESCRIPTION UNSTABLE

• rmmenviro

• February 10, 2025

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• February 7, 2025

• Blog

SIXTH DISTRICT UPHOLDS CLASS 32 URBAN INFILL CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION FOR GROCERY OUTLET STORE

• rmmenviro

• February 7, 2025

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• January 10, 2025

• Blog

SECOND DISTRICT HOLDS NOISE FROM ROOFTOP DECKS IS NOT A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT PRECLUDING USE OF THE CLASS 32 EXEMPTION FOR MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL PROJECT, BUT CITY ERRED BY FAILING TO EVALUATE THE PROJECT’S CONSISTENCY WITH THE APPLICABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

• rmmenviro

• November 12, 2024

• Blog

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

• October 9, 2024

• Blog

SUPREME COURT ADOPTS “BRIGHT LINE” RULE RESOLVING WHEN THE TIME TO APPEAL STARTS TO RUN IN WRIT OF ADMINISTRATIVE MANDATE PROCEEDINGS

• rmmenviro

• October 9, 2024

• Our Cases

Sierra Club v. County of Fresno

• rmmenviro

• April 2, 2019

• Our Cases

Georgetown Preservation Society v. County of El Dorado

• rmmenviro

• April 2, 2019

• Our Cases

High Sierra Rural Alliance v. County of Plumas

• rmmenviro

• April 2, 2019

• Our Cases

Westsiders Opposed to Overdevelopment v. City of Los Angeles

• rmmenviro

• April 2, 2019

• News & Updates, Our Cases

RMM Successfully Defends Sustainable Communities Project Against Multiple Challenges

• rmmenviro

• May 14, 2018

• News & Updates, Our Cases

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

• rmmenviro

• May 14, 2018

• Our Cases

Placerville Historic Preservation League v. Judicial Council of California

• rmmenviro

• January 9, 2018

• Our Cases

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

• rmmenviro

• January 9, 2018

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• November 30, 2017

• Blog

First District Court of Appeal Upholds Judicial Council of California’s Determination That Closure of Downtown Placerville Courthouse Would Not Lead to Significant Urban Decay Impacts

• rmmenviro

• October 31, 2017

• Blog

California Supreme Court Upholds GHG Analysis in SANDAG’s Regional Transportation Plan EIR

• rmmenviro

• July 25, 2017

• Blog

First District Reversal Allows for Challenge to Local Air District’s Limited Discretionary Approval Under CEQA

• rmmenviro

• July 25, 2017

• Our Cases

Banning Ranch Conservancy v. City of Newport Beach

• rmmenviro

• May 4, 2017

• Our Cases

Mission Bay Alliance v. Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure

• rmmenviro

• May 4, 2017

• Blog

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.

• rmmenviro

• March 30, 2017

• Blog

Legislative Analyst’s Office Concludes State Government Has Limited Ability to Increase Housing Supply; the Solution Lies with Local Governments

• rmmenviro

• March 9, 2017

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• March 6, 2017

• Blog

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

• January 3, 2017

• Blog

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

• December 19, 2016

• Blog, Our Cases

EIR for Mission Bay Warriors Arena Upheld by Court of Appeal

• rmmenviro

• November 30, 2016

• Blog, Our Cases

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

• rmmenviro

• September 21, 2016

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• September 14, 2016

• Blog

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

• March 25, 2016

• Blog

Court Rejects EIR for Pest Program, Finding Objectives Too Narrowly Defined, and Thus No Reasonable Range of Alternatives

• rmmenviro

• January 7, 2016

• Blog

California Supreme Court Issues Major CEQA Decision in Newhall Ranch Case

• rmmenviro

• December 7, 2015

• Blog

Court of Appeal Upholds EIR for Commercial Sand Mining Project but Remands for Failure to Comply With the Public Trust Doctrine

• rmmenviro

• December 7, 2015

• Blog

Sixth District Court of Appeal Finds Amendments to Tree Ordinance Not Exempt from CEQA

• rmmenviro

• November 9, 2015

• Blog, Our Cases

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

• rmmenviro

• October 27, 2015

• Blog

On Remand, Court of Appeal Finds Berkeley Hillside Home Exempt from CEQA

• rmmenviro

• October 22, 2015

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• October 14, 2015

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• September 18, 2015

• Blog

Fourth District Finds School District’s Determination that Exemption Applied to School Closures was Not Supported by Substantial Evidence

• rmmenviro

• September 8, 2015

• Blog

California Supreme Court to Review Banning Ranch Conservancy v. City of Newport Beach

• rmmenviro

• August 26, 2015

• Blog

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

• July 16, 2015

• Blog

Fourth District Court of Appeal Upholds Supplemental EIR for Jail Facility Upgrade Project

• rmmenviro

• July 10, 2015

• Our Cases

Keep Our Mountains Quiet v. County of Santa Clara

• rmmenviro

• June 25, 2015

• Blog

Fourth District Court of Appeal Holds Removal of Conservation Overlay on Land Is a Project and Is Not Exempt from CEQA

• rmmenviro

• June 18, 2015

• Blog

Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Inclusionary Housing Zoning

• rmmenviro

• June 17, 2015

• Blog

Fourth District Upholds Balboa Park Project Approval, Finds Substantial Evidence Supports Determinations

• rmmenviro

• June 1, 2015

• Blog

In an Unpublished Opinion, Second District Denies Challenges to Temporary Increase in NFL Games at Rose Bowl Stadium

• rmmenviro

• June 1, 2015

• Blog

Court Upholds the City of Newport Beach’s EIR and Concludes that the City’s Actions Complied with Its General Plan, Distinguishing and Disagreeing with California Native Plant Society v. City of Rancho Cordova

• rmmenviro

• May 22, 2015

• Blog

State Water Board Votes to Adopt its Emergency Regulations

• rmmenviro

• May 15, 2015

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• May 15, 2015

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• May 7, 2015

• Blog

Governor Brown Orders Aggressive New Target for Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• rmmenviro

• April 30, 2015

• Blog

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

• April 2, 2015

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• March 4, 2015

• Blog

California Supreme Court Establishes Two-Part Test for Determining Whether the “Unusual Circumstances” Exception Applies to a Categorical Exemption

• rmmenviro

• March 3, 2015

• Blog

First District Court of Appeal Rejects Challenge to California Air Resources Board’s Regulations Implementing the Cap-and-Trade Program

• rmmenviro

• March 3, 2015

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• March 3, 2015

• Blog

EPA Releases Final Wetland Connectivity Report Clarifying “Significant Nexus”

• rmmenviro

• February 18, 2015

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• February 17, 2015

• Blog

City Council Member’s Appeal of Planning Commission Decision Violated Principles of Fairness and the Newport Beach Municipal Code

• rmmenviro

• February 6, 2015

• Blog

SB 4 Implementation to Yield New Permanent Regulations, an EIR, and an Independent Scientific Study by July 2015

• rmmenviro

• February 3, 2015

• Blog

DWR Increases Water Deliveries to State Agencies

• rmmenviro

• January 20, 2015

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• January 16, 2015

• Blog

First District Holds Timber Management Plan Does Not Violate CEQA

• rmmenviro

• January 14, 2015

• Blog

US EPA Delays Rollout of New Clean Power Rules

• rmmenviro

• January 14, 2015

• Blog

Supreme Court will hear Friends of the Eel River

• rmmenviro

• December 26, 2014

• Blog

Surface Transportation Board rules that federal law preempts application of CEQA to a portion of the high-speed rail line.

• rmmenviro

• December 20, 2014

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• December 18, 2014

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• December 17, 2014

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• December 15, 2014

• Blog

Trial Court Incorrectly Granted Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings Challenging CARB’s Regulations Addressing In-use Engines

• rmmenviro

• December 11, 2014

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• December 8, 2014

• Blog

Special CEQA provision regarding Sacramento downtown arena project is not unconstitutional.

• rmmenviro

• December 5, 2014

• Blog

Petition for Review Filed in Friends of the Eel River v. North Coast Railroad Authority (Case No. S222472)

• rmmenviro

• November 26, 2014

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• November 4, 2014

• Blog

Unpublished Fourth District decision holds petitioner did not present sufficient evidence to prove exception to categorical exemptions from CEQA

• rmmenviro

• October 29, 2014

• Blog

Second Appellate District clarifies facts and reaches different outcome than in prior published opinion, striking down a condition requiring a public access easement for a coastal development permit

• rmmenviro

• October 28, 2014

• Blog

Supreme Court Declines Review of High-Speed Rail Bonds Suit

• rmmenviro

• October 16, 2014

• Blog

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

• October 15, 2014

• Blog

On Remand, Trial Court Must Consider Whether Federal Mining Law Preempts California’s Moratorium on Suction Dredge Mining

• rmmenviro

• October 15, 2014

• Blog

First District Holds CEQA Review of Freight Operations Preempted by Federal Law

• rmmenviro

• October 5, 2014

• Blog

California Supreme Court grants Petition for Review in Sierra Club v. County of Fresno

• rmmenviro

• October 2, 2014

• Blog

Court holds Governor is not a public agency under CEQA

• rmmenviro

• September 30, 2014

• Blog

Draft desert renewable energy conservation plan released for public review

• rmmenviro

• September 30, 2014

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• September 30, 2014

• Blog

Governor Brown signs SB 270, the first statewide ban on single-use plastic bags

• rmmenviro

• September 30, 2014

• Blog

Governor signs three CEQA bills, vetoes one

• rmmenviro

• September 26, 2014

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• September 26, 2014

• Blog

First District Upholds Approval of Parkmerced Redevelopment Project in San Francisco

• rmmenviro

• August 20, 2014

• Blog

OPR Releases Draft SB 743 CEQA Guidelines for the Evaluation of Transportation Impacts

• rmmenviro

• August 12, 2014

• Blog

Supreme Court Reverses Court of Appeal, Holds Legislative Body Need Not Obtain Full CEQA Review Before It Directly Adopts a Voter Initiative

• rmmenviro

• August 7, 2014

• Our Cases

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

• rmmenviro

• August 6, 2014

• Our Cases

California Clean Energy Committee v. City of Woodland

• rmmenviro

• August 6, 2014

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• July 30, 2014

• Blog

Court of Appeal Holds Federal Law Does Not Preempt CEQA for High-Speed Train Project; Upholds Program EIR for Bay Area to Central Valley Route

• rmmenviro

• July 30, 2014

• Blog

Court of Appeal Upholds San Jose’s Eighth Addendum to Airport Master Plan EIR

• rmmenviro

• July 20, 2014

• Blog

Fifth District Holds Interim Renewal Contracts for Central Valley Project Water are Exempt from CEQA

• rmmenviro

• July 10, 2014

• Our Cases

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

• rmmenviro

• July 8, 2014

• Our Cases

South County Citizens for Smart Growth v. County of Nevada

• rmmenviro

• July 8, 2014

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• July 2, 2014

• Blog

President Obama Signs the Water Resources Reform and Development Act

• rmmenviro

• June 22, 2014

• Blog

Appellate Court Upholds Permit for Landfill Expansion in Solano County

• rmmenviro

• June 11, 2014

• Blog

EPA Sets Emission Reduction Goals for Power Plants

• rmmenviro

• June 5, 2014

• Blog

Energy Information Administration (EIA) Reduces Its Estimates of Recoverable Oil in the Monterey Shale to 600 Million Barrels, down 96% from 2012 Estimates

• rmmenviro

• June 5, 2014

• Blog

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 3, 2014

• Blog

First District Court of Appeal Upholds Use of Class 3 Categorical Exemption for Utility Project in San Francisco

• rmmenviro

• June 2, 2014

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• June 2, 2014

• Blog

Ninth Circuit Determines That a Trial Court Erred When Excluding Expert Opinion as Unreliable in Water Contamination Case

• rmmenviro

• May 16, 2014

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• May 12, 2014

• Blog

Ninth Circuit Issues Injunction for Oregon Logging Project

• rmmenviro

• May 12, 2014

• Blog

U.S. Supreme Court Rules the EPA Has Authority Under Good Neighbor Provision of Clean Air Act to Establish Rules Limiting Emissions and Curtailing Air Pollution Emitted in Upwind States

• rmmenviro

• May 3, 2014

• Blog

EPA Interprets its Clean Water Act Jurisdiction in Proposed Rule

• rmmenviro

• April 24, 2014

• Blog

Variance from Setback Requirement Allowed for Seaside Home Replacement

• rmmenviro

• April 19, 2014

• Blog

Eastern District Denies Sierra Club’s Motion for Summary Judgment, Grants Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment in Challenge to Lake Tahoe Regional Plan Update

• rmmenviro

• April 18, 2014

• Blog

OPR Solicits Input in Effort to Improve State Groundwater Management

• rmmenviro

• April 15, 2014

• Blog

Court of Appeal Finds Rodeo Categorically Exempt from CEQA

• rmmenviro

• April 4, 2014

• Blog

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

• April 4, 2014

• Blog

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

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• March 25, 2014

• Blog

U.S. Supreme Court Sides with Property Owners in Dispute Over Abandoned Railroad Right of Way

• rmmenviro

• March 21, 2014

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• March 18, 2014

• Blog

CA Legislature and Governor Brown Enact Extensive Drought Relief Plan

• rmmenviro

• March 7, 2014

• Blog

Second District Court of Appeal Finds Museum Remodel Exempt from CEQA

• rmmenviro

• February 23, 2014

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• February 22, 2014

• Blog

California Supreme Court Moves High-Speed Rail Request to Court of Appeal

• rmmenviro

• February 14, 2014

• Blog

Air Resources Board Releases Proposed AB 32 Scoping Plan

• rmmenviro

• February 14, 2014

• Blog

First District Court of Appeal Strikes Down Portions of Caltrans EIR

• rmmenviro

• February 3, 2014

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• January 29, 2014

• Blog

Sacramento Arena Will Not be Put to a Public Vote

• rmmenviro

• January 29, 2014

• Blog

State asks Supreme Court to Set Aside Trial Court Rulings Stalling High-Speed Rail

• rmmenviro

• January 28, 2014

• Blog

Court of Appeal Holds Required Overflight Easement in Exchange for Building Permit is Not a Taking

• rmmenviro

• January 21, 2014

• Blog

Governor Brown Declares a Drought State of Emergency

• rmmenviro

• January 17, 2014

• Blog

California Supreme Court Grants Review of Unpublished First District CEQA Opinion

• rmmenviro

• January 17, 2014

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• January 17, 2014

• Blog

OPR’s Preliminary Recommendations for Evaluation of Alternative Methods of Transportation Analysis Available for Review

• rmmenviro

• January 17, 2014

• Blog

USFWS Extends Eagle Take Permits to 30 Years

• rmmenviro

• January 15, 2014

• Blog

Court of Appeal Upholds Spot Zoning to Allow for Senior Housing

• rmmenviro

• January 15, 2014

• Blog

Will Cap-and-Trade Money Fund the High Speed Rail?

• rmmenviro

• January 7, 2014

• Blog

OPR Seeks Input on CEQA Guidelines Update

• rmmenviro

• January 7, 2014

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• January 6, 2014

• Blog

Los Angeles Superior Court Rejects Hollywood’s Growth Plan

• rmmenviro

• January 6, 2014

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• December 31, 2013

• Blog

Draft EIR of Sacramento Kings Arena Released

• rmmenviro

• December 17, 2013

• Blog

California Releases Draft Climate Change Preparation Plan

• rmmenviro

• December 12, 2013

• Blog

Canada will link its cap-and-trade program with California’s in 2014

• rmmenviro

• December 12, 2013

• Blog

Supreme Court Grants Review to Determine Whether CEQA Requires Analysis of the Effect of the Environment on a Project

• rmmenviro

• December 4, 2013

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• November 27, 2013

• Blog

Fourth District holds County’s funding application was not a project under CEQA

• rmmenviro

• November 26, 2013

• Blog

ARB approves first forest carbon offsets under cap-and-trade protocols

• rmmenviro

• November 20, 2013

• Blog

Sacramento Superior Court Upholds State’s Cap-and-Trade Program

• rmmenviro

• November 20, 2013

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• November 11, 2013

• Blog

Court of appeal reviews housing element update under substantial evidence standard and upholds city’s decision not to prepare an EIR

• rmmenviro

• November 11, 2013

• Blog

Court holds that only agency decisionmaking bodies may certify the project’s EIR

• rmmenviro

• November 6, 2013

• Blog

Development rights are not constitutionally protected property interests where significant discretion is involved

• rmmenviro

• November 6, 2013

• Blog

President Obama issues executive order on climate adaptation

• rmmenviro

• November 6, 2013

• Blog

Supreme Court grants review in Orange Citizens

• rmmenviro

• November 5, 2013

• Blog

West Coast Government Leaders Announce Landmark Climate Policy Accord

• rmmenviro

• October 29, 2013

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• October 17, 2013

• Our Cases

Neighbors for Smart Rail v. Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority

• rmmenviro

• October 14, 2013

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• October 10, 2013

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• October 9, 2013

• Blog

Court of Appeal Rules Delayed Request for CEQA Hearing is Excusable Error

• rmmenviro

• October 8, 2013

• Blog

Supreme Court Upholds Marin County’s Plastic Bag Ban

• rmmenviro

• October 7, 2013

• Blog

Ninth Circuit Rules on Constitutionality of California’s Pioneering Regulatory Approach to Reducing Carbon in Fuels

• rmmenviro

• September 27, 2013

• Blog

Does Federal Law Preempt Further CEQA Review of the High-Speed Rail Project?

• rmmenviro

• September 24, 2013

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• August 29, 2013

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• August 29, 2013

• Blog

Trial Court Holds High Speed Rail’s Funding Plan Violated Prop 1A But Refuses to Issue a Writ Invalidating Legislative Appropriation or Future Subsequent Approvals for the Rail Project For Now

• rmmenviro

• August 22, 2013

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• August 20, 2013

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• August 8, 2013

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• August 6, 2013

• Blog

First District Court of Appeal Upholds County’s Determination that Local Ordinance Banning Plastic Bags was Categorically Exempt from CEQA

• rmmenviro

• August 3, 2013

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• July 30, 2013

• Blog

Fifth District Court of Appeal Strikes Down State Air Resources Board’s Approval of Nation’s First “Low Carbon Fuel Standard,” but Allows Program to Continue Operating While CEQA Violations Are Cured

• rmmenviro

• July 25, 2013

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• July 19, 2013

• Blog

First District Court of Appeal Strikes Portion of Local Ordinance for Conflict with State Density Bonus Law

• rmmenviro

• July 18, 2013

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• July 15, 2013

• Blog

U.S. Supreme Court Holds Nollan-Dolan Limits Apply to Monetary Exactions and the Denial of Permits

• rmmenviro

• July 2, 2013

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• July 1, 2013

• Blog

First District Court of Appeal affirms trial court judgment upholding San Francisco’s certification of a mixed-use project EIR.

• rmmenviro

• June 28, 2013

• Blog

Delta Stewardship Council faces numerous lawsuits challenging its certification of an EIR for the Delta Plan

• rmmenviro

• June 20, 2013

• Blog

Third District Court of Appeal Holds Siskiyou County Does Not Have Exclusive Jurisdiction Over Scott River Groundwater Public Trust Doctrine Case and that Sacramento Venue is Proper

• rmmenviro

• June 20, 2013

• Blog

Federal Surface Transportation Board Approves Construction of Fresno-to-Merced HSR Project

• rmmenviro

• June 18, 2013

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• June 12, 2013

• Blog

Fifth District Court of Appeal Finds Violation of Brown Act

• rmmenviro

• June 5, 2013

• Our Cases

North Coast Rivers Alliance v. Marin Municipal Water District

• rmmenviro

• May 31, 2013

• Our Cases

Habitat and Watershed Caretakers v. City of Santa Cruz

• rmmenviro

• May 31, 2013

• Our Cases

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

• rmmenviro

• May 31, 2013

• Blog

First District Court of Appeal Upholds EIR for Marin Desalination Plant

• rmmenviro

• May 24, 2013

• Blog

First District Court of Appeal Finds Temporary Regulatory Taking by Alameda County; Upholds Damages Award and Attorney Fees

• rmmenviro

• May 24, 2013

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• May 6, 2013

• Blog

First District Court of Appeal Upholds Limited Remedy for a CEQA Violation; Allows Eminent Domain Activities to Move Forward on East Bay Trail Improvement Project

• rmmenviro

• May 3, 2013

• Blog

Updated SB 731, CEQA Modernization Act of 2013, released by Steinberg

• rmmenviro

• April 25, 2013

• Blog

California Environmental Protection Agency Releases Statewide Pollutant Mapping Tool

• rmmenviro

• April 24, 2013

• Blog

Northern California District Court strikes down BLM gas and oil leases for failure to comply with NEPA

• rmmenviro

• April 19, 2013

• Blog

Judge Rules Portion of AB 900 Unconstitutional

• rmmenviro

• April 5, 2013

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• April 4, 2013

• Blog

First District Court Of Appeal Upholds City’s Application of Exemption for Residential Development Consistent with a Specific Plan for Which an EIR Was Certified

• rmmenviro

• April 4, 2013

• Blog

NEPA/CEQA Project Integration Handbook Available for Public Comment

• rmmenviro

• March 22, 2013

• Blog

Senator Jerry Hill Appointed to the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. CEQA Bills of Interest

• rmmenviro

• March 20, 2013

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• March 11, 2013

• Blog

2012 Legislative Wrap-Up

• rmmenviro

• January 14, 2013

• Blog

Holland & Knight Study Concludes that Infill Development Projects are a Common Target of CEQA Suits

• rmmenviro

• January 11, 2013

• Blog

California Department of Fish and Game Changes Its Name

• rmmenviro

• January 7, 2013

• Blog

Farm Bureau Challenge Fails: Trial Court Upholds County’s Cancellation of Williamson Act Contract to Accommodate Solar Project

• rmmenviro

• December 27, 2012

• Our Cases

Banning Ranch Conservancy v. City of Newport Beach

• rmmenviro

• December 13, 2012

• Blog

Fourth District Court of Appeal Upholds Newport Beach’s Environmental Impact Report for the Sunset Ridge Park Project, Finding That the City Did Not Improperly “Piecemeal” the Project and That Substantial Evidence Supported the City’s Analyses of Cumulative Impacts and Growth-Inducing Impacts

• rmmenviro

• December 13, 2012

• Blog

Second District Court of Appeal Holds That CEQA Is Inapplicable to Water Replenishment District’s Declaration of a “Water Emergency” in the Central Basin Groundwater Basin, and Even If CEQA Did Apply, the Court Adjudicated “Physical Solution” in the Central Basin Trumps CEQA

• rmmenviro

• December 13, 2012

• Blog

Fifth District Holds CEQA Review Is Required Where A Lead Agency, Without Holding An Election, Chooses To Approve A Project Submitted To It By Initiative Petition

• rmmenviro

• December 10, 2012

• Blog

California Supreme Court Holds Coastal Act and Mello Act Apply to Conversions of Rental Mobilehome Parks to Residential Ownership

• rmmenviro

• December 5, 2012

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• December 3, 2012

• Blog

California Chamber of Commerce Sues to Invalidate AB 32 Cap-and-Trade Program

• rmmenviro

• November 16, 2012

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• November 16, 2012

• Blog

California Air Resources Board Conducts Auction for Cap-And-Trade Program

• rmmenviro

• November 9, 2012

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• November 9, 2012

• Blog

Second District Court of Appeal Holds That Placing a Measure on the Ballot to Establish a Competitive Bidding Process for a City’s Future Waste Disposal Contracts Does Not Constitute a “Project” Under CEQA.

• rmmenviro

• October 31, 2012

• Blog

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.

• rmmenviro

• October 30, 2012

• Blog

Third District Court of Appeal Holds That an Agreement to Provide Water to a Casino Triggered the Unusual Circumstances Exception to the Small Projects Categorical Exemption and Finds Evidence the Project May Exacerbate the Environmental Consequences of a Drought

• rmmenviro

• October 18, 2012

• Blog

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Rule to Remove Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle From List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife

• rmmenviro

• October 3, 2012

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• August 2, 2012

• Blog

California Natural Resources Agency moves forward with regulations for streamlined environmental review for qualified infill projects.

• rmmenviro

• August 1, 2012

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• July 19, 2012

• Blog

Second District Court of Appeal Upholds South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Rule Limiting Volatile Organic Compounds in Paint Thinners and Solvents against Challenge that the Rule Is Preempted; Rejects Claim that CEQA Required District to Analyze Alternatives to the Rule

• rmmenviro

• July 3, 2012

• Blog

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

• rmmenviro

• July 2, 2012

• Blog

D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upholds EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Regulations

• rmmenviro

• June 30, 2012

• Blog

First District Court of Appeal Upholds ARB’s Scoping Plan for AB 32, Finding the Plan is Not Arbitrary and Capricious