Important Wetlands Protected
The firm represents Save the Bay and the National Audubon Association as intervenors in the successful defense, in the Ninth Circuit, of the Army Corps of Engineers’ jurisdiction over property that government actions had helped make aquatic. (Leslie Salt Co. v. U.S, 896 F.2d 354 (9th Cir. 1990).)
Appellate Court Issues Landmark Decision Invalidating Approval of Industrial Project in Kings County
The firm prevails in challenging a coal-fired cogeneration facility in the City of Hanford. The court of appeal’s landmark ruling holds that the environmental impact report must analyze the project’s cumulative impacts on air quality. (Kings County Farm Bureau v. City of Hanford, 221 Cal.App.3d 692 (1990).)
Environmental Review Required for Wetland Fill Permit
On behalf of Save the Bay and other environmental groups, the firm, together with the Attorney General’s office, prevails in a federal case holding that the Army Corps of Engineers must prepare an environmental impact statement for a permit to fill wetlands at the Oakland Airport site. (People of State of Calif. v. Marsh, 687 […]
Court of Appeal Rejects Redevelopment Agency’s Determination That Agricultural Area Is Blighted
The firm prevails in challenging a redevelopment plan that would have allowed industrial uses on productive agricultural land in Solano County. The appellate court reverses the trial court, holding that the Agency’s approval violated both the Community Redevelopment Law and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). (Emmington v. Solano County Redev’t Agency, 195 Cal.App.3d 491 […]
Court Halts Development on Cullinan Ranch in Solano County
The firm prevails in litigation challenging major development on Cullinan Ranch, a 1,500-acre parcel at the top of San Pablo Bay. This large wetland area is now permanently preserved by the Fish & Wildlife Service. (Save the Bay v. City of Vallejo.)
SMW Joins Individuals and Local Agencies in Opposing State’s Approval of Timber Harvest Plan
The Firm makes repeated trips to the Court of Appeal to extend the restraining order it obtained barring logging of redwood trees on property located on Lucas Valley Road in Marin County. Redwood trees prevail as a settlement is eventually reached with the forester. (County of Marin v. California Department of Forestry (1985).)
Court Halts Construction Impacting Tribal Resources
On behalf of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, the firm obtains an injunction in federal court to prevent the issuance of permits for construction along a riverbank that will harm cultural resources. (Colorado River Indian Tribes v. Marsh, 605 F.Supp.1425 (1985).)
SMW Helps Residents Reduce Orange County Airport Impacts
In 1985 the firm negotiates an innovative settlement of litigation on behalf of Stop Polluting Our Newport and the Airport Working Group, challenging the expansion of John Wayne Airport in Orange County. The settlement establishes strict limits on the number of commercial flights, aircraft noise levels, and terminal size at John Wayne, considered to be […]
Court Halts Development of Odello Ranch in Monterey County
The firm succeeds in litigation challenging the Coastal Commission’s approval of sprawl development on Odello Ranch, a stunning rural area south of the Carmel River. (City of Carmel By-the-Sea v. California Coastal Commission (1985).)
Ninth Circuit Halts Development at Lake Tahoe
On behalf of the League to Save Lake Tahoe, the firm, together with the state Attorney General’s office, obtains a federal court injunction, affirmed by the Ninth Circuit, prohibiting the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) from issuing development permits. As a result, TRPA enters a public process to prepare a new regional plan protecting Lake […]