ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CASES

• Oregon Natural Res. Council Fund v. Goodman
• Santa Clarita Org. for Planning v. County of L.A.
• Guzman v. County of Monterey

U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, September 24, 2007
Oregon Natural Res. Council Fund v. Goodman, No. 07-35110
In an action challenging the United States Forest Service's approval of a proposed expansion of a ski area in Oregon, summary judgment for the Forest Service is reversed and remanded for an injunction where the Forest Service: 1) failed to properly evaluate the impact of the proposed expansion on the Pacific fisher, in violation of both NEPA and the NFMA; and 2) violated the NFMA by failing to appropriately designate Riparian Reserves and Restricted Watershed terrain, as required by applicable plans. Read more...

California Appellate Districts, September 25, 2007
Santa Clarita Org. for Planning v. County of L.A., No. B189116
In suit challinging water services portion of the environmental impact report for the West Creek residential subdivision, the West Creek EIR satisfied all four principles of Vineyard Area Citizens for Responsible Growth, Inc. v. City of Rancho Cordova (2007) 40 Cal.4th 412. Read more...

California Appellate Districts, September 25, 2007
Guzman v. County of Monterey, No. H030647
In suit brought by former residents of a mobile home park alleging that the camp's water was contaminated with dangerously high levels of naturally occurring fluoride, sustaining of demurrer to plaintiffs' third amended complaint is reversed where the complaint sufficiently alleged the elements necessary for liability under Government Code section 815.6. Read more...