SMW Lawsuit Compels State to Address Toxic Hot Spots in Waters
The firm wins a case requiring state water quality regulators to implement a statute addressing “toxic hot spots” in state waters. (DeltaKeeper v. State Water Resources Control Board (2001).)
SMW Helps Defeat Proposal to Weaken Zoning Protecting Placer County Timberlands
The firm assists Sierra Watch and Mountain Area Preservation in defeating a proposal in 2001 to amend Placer County’s zoning regulations to allow ski lifts and ski runs as “permitted uses” in the County’s Timberland Production Zones.
Referendum Leads to Permanent Preservation of “Bahia” Wetlands in Novato
Voters in Novato in 2001 pass a referendum, drafted by the firm, that overturns the approval of a large subdivision on the biologically rich “Bahia” property, at the mouth of the Petaluma River. Later, the land is purchased for permanent conservation.
Voters in San Juan Capistrano Pass Referendum of Gated Subdivision on Wetlands
Voters in San Juan Capistrano in 2002 pass a referendum, drafted by the firm, reversing the City’s approval of “Whispering Hills,” a gated subdivision that would have filled wetlands and cut a road through prominent ridgelines.
Appellate Court Win Upholds Referendum of Pre-Zoning for Development
In an appellate court victory, the firm successfully defends a referendum of the City of Pleasanton’s pre-zoning of property for development and convinces the court that the referendum does not create inconsistencies with the City’s general plan. (Merritt v. City of Pleasanton, 89 Cal.App.4th 1032 (2001).)
SMW Protects Stanford Foothills
Thanks to advocacy by the firm and its client Committee for Green Foothills, Santa Clara County in 2000 adopts an “Academic Growth Boundary,” limiting Stanford University’s ability to expand into the foothills for 25 years.
Successful Negotiations Protect American River Water Resources
The firm assists the Water Forum in its adoption in 2000 of a landmark agreement among multiple stakeholders that sets the allocation of water from the American River Watershed.
Court Blocks Rezoning of Agricultural Lands in San Diego Backcountry
The firm wins a CEQA case challenging San Diego County’s rezoning of 200,000 acres of farmland in the County’s backcountry. The court states: “You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone.” (Save Our Forest and Ranchlands v. San Diego County (2000).)
SMW Litigation Leads to Permanent Preservation of Barham Ranch in Orange County.
The firm prevails in litigation to preserve Barham Ranch, a wilderness area of 526 acres in northeastern Orange County. The Ranch is now a regional park. (Orange Park Association v. Serrano Water District (2000).)
SMW Clients Prevent Development of Nuclear Waste Dump in the Mojave Desert
The firm represents the County of San Bernardino and Committee to Bridge the Gap, an anti-nuclear organization, in challenging the development of a dump for radioactive waste in Ward Valley in the Eastern Mojave Desert. The Ward Valley project was never built.