California Supreme Court Victory
The firm wins a landmark case before the California Supreme Court holding that the North Coast Rail Authority must comply with CEQA when reopening tracks running from Novato to Humboldt County. Subsequently, the state passes legislation to convert the rail line to the Great Redwood Trail. (Friends of the Eel River v. NCRA, 3 Cal.5th […]
Appellate Court Invalidates EIR for Regional Transportation Plan
The firm obtains an appellate decision invalidating the environmental impact report for a regional transportation plan adopted by the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). SANDAG is ordered to consider a transit-oriented alternative to its freeway-centric plan. (Cleveland National Forest Foundation v. SANDAG, 17 Cal.App.5th 413 (2017).)
Facebook Settlement Promotes Affordable Housing
The firm represents the City of East Palo Alto in negotiating a settlement with Facebook in 2016 that results in a $20 million fund for affordable housing and requirements for job training for City residents.
Settlement with PG&E Will Close Last Nuclear Power Plant in California
The firm helps Friends of the Earth block PG&E’s lease extension on public lands, and negotiate the historic 2016 settlement agreement with the utility to close in 2025 the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, located on the coast in a highly active seismic area.
Recognition for a Supreme Court Victory
SMW partner Kevin Bundy receives the California Lawyer’s Attorney of the Year (CLAY) Award for his role, while at the Center for Biological Diversity, in obtaining a decision from the California Supreme Court overturning the greenhouse gas analysis for the Newhall Ranch project in L.A. County. (Center for Biological Diversity v. Cal. Dept. of Fish […]
SMW Advises SAFCA on Local Funding Mechanisms for Flood Control
From 2007 through 2016, the firm advises the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency on the formation of assessment districts to fund the local share of flood control improvements, providing benefits to approximately 160,000 properties.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Thresholds Upheld
The firm defends the Bay Area Air Quality Management District in litigation challenging its CEQA thresholds of significance. After a ruling of the California Supreme Court, the majority of the thresholds are upheld. (California Building Industry Assn. v. BAAQMD, 62 Cal.4th 369 (2015).)
SMW Assists Five Cities in Successful Opposition to Dangerous Freeway Extension
Photo credit: Ken Lund, Flickr In 2015 the firm represents South Pasadena and four other cities in opposing a plan by Caltrans and the L.A. Metropolitan Transportation Authority to extend the SR-710 freeway under the City of Pasadena. Thanks in large part to the firm’s critique of the environmental impact report for the project, the […]
Columbia State Historic Park Protected From Mine Expansion
In response to litigation by the firm, Tuolumne County agrees to rescind its approval of the expansion of a limestone mine near Columbia State Historic Park and to prepare an environmental impact report for the project. (Central Sierra Env’l Resource Ctr. v. Tuolumne County (2014).)
SMW Litigation Stops Massive Resort on Dyer Mountain
After years of litigation by the firm on behalf of the Mountain Meadows Conservancy, Sierra Watch and the Sierra Club, the developer of a large ski resort on Dyer Mountain in rural Lassen County abandons the project. The Lassen County Board of Supervisors then rescinds the project approvals. (Mountain Meadows Conservancy et al. v. Lassen […]