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The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) has published its 15th annual summary of recent appellate court cases and decisions that may be of interest to ACWA member agencies and ... read more
This alert provides a general overview of various pending matters that affect the interests of water users located within the boundaries of the Eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer (ESPA). All ... read more
We’re pleased to announce that Somach Simmons & Dunn has been recognized among the top law firms in water law, according to the 2024 edition of the United States Best Law Firms® ... read more
Every five years, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) prepares the California Water Plan, a statutorily mandated strategic plan to guide the management and control of the state’s water ... read more
In conjunction with America’s early westward expansion and the development of the prior appropriation doctrine, Western states developed specific private rights of condemnation for water conveyance structures (also known as ... read more
The 2023 California legislative session concluded on September 14, 2023. This article highlights new bills pertaining to water rights, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and emissions on the consumer ... read more
The “Making Conservation a California Way of Life” regulation (Proposed Conservation Regulation) seeks to establish the methods and criteria that large municipal water suppliers must use to calculate their “urban ... read more
We have an opening for an experienced legal secretary with a minimum three years of civil litigation experience, water court litigation experience a definite plus. This individual will work closely ... read more
When purchasing a parcel of land—whether a primary residence, vacation home, industrial complex, or working ranch—the existence or non-existence of water rights, and the characteristics and elements of any such ... read more
On August 4, 2023, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-10-23, the latest in a series of executive orders addressing the impacts of the series of atmospheric rivers that caused a ... read more
#SomachSpeaks - Upcoming Events & Activities December 7, San Francisco, CA: Catch up with Kelley Taber during the 19th Annual CEQA Conference by CLE International. Her panel will address "How to ... read more
California Senate Bill 389 (SB 389) is a legislative effort to increase the State Water Resources Control Board’s (State Water Board) authority over pre-1914 appropriative water rights and riparian water ... read more
Reclamation recently announced that CVP contractors using 2,000 acre-feet or more of water must resume development and submittal of water management plans. The plan, which must address the efficient use ... read more
A feature article published in the 2023 Northern California Super Lawyers magazine showcases Stuart Somach as a leading authority in water law. Known for his ability to navigate complex water-related ... read more
In an opinion with the potential to significantly impact future challenges to agency action – including, notably, challenges to biological opinions prepared in accordance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) ... read more
We're pleased to recognize a group of Somach Simmons & Dunn attorneys for their inclusion in the 2023 Super Lawyers lists. Honorees are selected through a process that blends feedback from ... read more
Background of the Case: Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency On May 25, 2023, the United States Supreme Court (Supreme Court) issued its decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, et ... read more
On May 1, 2023, the Colorado Supreme Court defined the State Engineer’s authority to enforce terms and conditions of Substitute Water Supply Plans (SWSP). SWSPs are a common tool to ... read more
The San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary Water Quality Control Plan (Bay-Delta Plan) is currently undergoing its periodic review of updates and amendments by the State Water Resources Control Board ... read more
We have an opening for an experienced legal secretary with a minimum three years of civil litigation experience, with water court litigation and public agency experience a plus. Qualified candidates ... read more
For three days last week, the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) hosted its members – over 460 public water agencies collectively delivering approximately 90 percent of the water throughout ... read more
The Colorado General Assembly adjourned its 2023 legislative session on May 8, 2023. Below is a highlight summary of water-related legislation passed by the General Assembly. Of the bills passed, ... read more
Controversy over the Clean Water Act definition of “waters of the United States” persists as the Biden Administration’s new rule goes into effect in 24 states, but is enjoined in ... read more
Our Somach Simmons & Dunn attorneys are sharing their expertise throughout the second quarter of 2023. #SomachSpeaks - Events & Activities in Q2 2023 June 8 - 9, Boulder, CO: ... read more
On April 4, 2023, the Santa Clara County Superior Court ordered the State Water Resources Control Board (State Board) to reimburse a group of California irrigation districts and water agencies ... read more