Thursday May 23, 2024
Courthouse News Service —
Three California companies pushing back against state emergency regulations and water curtailment orders saw most of their claims dismissed by a federal judge Tuesday.
Los Molinos Mutual Water Company, Stanford Vina Ranch Irrigation Company and Peyton Pacific Properties LLC challenged the restrictions, which were in response to 2021 and 2022 drought conditions. They named State Water Resources Control Board members and board staff as defendants. Additionally, Stanford Vina brought claims against Charlton Bonham, executive director of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, over abandoned fish ladders, and against board members for violating the Endangered Species Act.
U.S. District Court Judge Dale Drozd dismissed almost all the claims, in most cases without leave to amend. However, he kept intact the Endangered Species Act claim against water board members and staff while tossing all claims against the Department of Fish and Wildlife.