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On December 8, 2020, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued draft guidance intended to clarify when a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit is required under the ... read more
On December 17, 2020, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will host an online research seminar, presented by Dr. Ermias Kebreab, summarizing the findings of his recently completed study analyzing ... read more
In 2014, the California Legislature passed Proposition 1 dedicating $2.7 billion for investments in water storage projects and giving the California Water Commission (Commission) new responsibilities such as distributing the funds set ... read more
On November 17, California, Oregon, PacifiCorp, and the Yurok and Karuk Tribes announced a new agreement with the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) to reaffirm KRRC’s status as dam removal ... read more
The Court of Appeal for the Second Appellate District recently ruled that a plaintiff challenging the method that a special district uses to calculate rates in a judicial action need ... read more
We’re pleased to announce that Somach Simmons & Dunn has been ranked among the top law firms in water law, according to the 2021 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” survey. Firms ... read more
SGMA Isn’t Working — When It’s Time to Adjudicate. Wait, When is it Time? Western Groundwater Congress, Virtual Conference Session Transcript Presented September 16, 2020, by Nick Jacobs & Aaron ... read more
We invite you to keep virtual tabs on Somach attorneys with this roundup of our news and events over the last months of 2020. #SomachSpeaks - Events & Activities in ... read more
Efficiency in federal water issues is a goal sought by many different users across all political and user spectrums. On October 13, 2020, President Trump issued an Executive Order (Order) ... read more
Somach Synopsis - Mineral County v. Lyon County This decision impacts how the public trust is viewed specifically in Nevada, but it also provides insights into public trust law in ... read more
In Utah, there is a significant effort underway to build a water delivery pipeline from Lake Powell to transport part of Utah’s Colorado River entitlement to Utah’s St. George area. ... read more
Live Webinar: Water Law for Colorado Real Estate Professionals WATER LAW FOR REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS is accredited by the Colorado Real Estate Commission for two (2) CE credits. Attorney Leila ... read more
On August 27, 2020, the California Supreme Court clarified the scope of decisions that require environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In Protecting Our Water and Environmental ... read more
We invite you to keep virtual tabs on Somach attorneys with this preview of our news and events in the second half of the year. Events & Activities July 23 ... read more
On August 25, 2020, the California Environmental Protection Agency released a new study suggesting that the state’s wastewater treatment plants (“treatment plants” or “facilities”), if operating at maximum co-digestion capacity, ... read more
Join Aaron Ferguson and Nick Jacobs for their virtual conference session at the Third Annual Western Groundwater Congress Presented by the Groundwater Resources Association of California, the Third Annual Western ... read more
We’re pleased to announce that shareholders Stuart Somach and Sarah Klahn have been recognized among the top lawyers nationwide in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021. Inclusion is considered a singular ... read more
On July 20, 2020, California’s Fourth District Court of Appeal published an opinion that may have far-reaching consequences for public agencies conducting environmental analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act ... read more
In Colorado, the State Engineer has added flexibility to perfecting junior conditional water rights. Under a Written Instruction issued by the Colorado State Engineer on July 21, 2020, Division of ... read more
Imperial Irrigation District (“IID” or “District”), which provides the only source of fresh water to California’s Imperial Valley, implemented an “equitable distribution plan” (EDP) to allocate its water entitlement amongst ... read more
We're pleased to acknowledge a group of Somach Simmons & Dunn attorneys for their inclusion in the 2020 Super Lawyers lists. Honorees are selected through a process that blends feedback ... read more
It’s that time again! Once a decade the State of Colorado reviews water rights for potential abandonment. On July 1, 2020, the Colorado Division of Water Resources released its decennial ... read more
The latest Supreme Court opinion on Indian law could have implications for jurisdiction over water rights administration and other natural resources in the West. In the 5-4 decision McGirt v. ... read more
On June 24, 2020, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California denied the preliminary injunctive relief requested by a coalition of fishery and environmental groups (Plaintiffs) ... read more
On June 18, 2020, the Third District Court of Appeal affirmed the lower court’s determination that the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) lawfully adopted emergency regulations and ... read more