Welcome to Abbott & Kindermann, Inc.’s Inaugural Environmental Action News. This summary provides a follow-up to the Abbott & Kindermann Land Use Conference and Outline provided in January 2020.

PREVIOUS MONTH’S UPDATE
Abbott & Kindermann, Inc., will begin providing a monthly review for environmental law starting in April 2020. Check back next month for a summary of this month’s Environmental Action News.

CASES PENDING AT THE CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT
There is one case pending at the California Supreme Court. The case and the Court’s summary are as follows:

County of Butte v. Department of Water Resources, S258574. (C071785; 39 Cal.App.5th 708; Yolo County Superior Court; CVCV091258.) Petition for review after the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal in an action for writ of administrative mandate.  This case presents the following issues: (1) To what extent does the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. § 791a et seq.) preempt application of the California Environmental Quality Act (Pub. Resources Code, § 21000 et seq.) when the state is acting on its own behalf and exercising its discretion in deciding to pursue licensing for a hydroelectric dam project?  (2) Does the Federal Power Act preempt state court challenges to an environmental impact report prepared under the California Environmental Quality Act in order to comply with the federal water quality certification under the federal Clean Water Act?