Articles

Superior Court rules against Malibu equestrian facility

January 29, 2009 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

In a lawsuit brought by Coastal Law Enforcement Action Network (CLEAN) against the Commission, Judge Chalfant of the L.A. Superior Court granted CLEAN's petition for writ of mandate, overturning the Commission's approval of an after-the-fact permit for expanded facilities at Malibu Valley Farms.  The court held that the Commission had ...

Articles

Homeless man jailed for eating protected salmon

January 29, 2009 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

Specifically, a member of the California Central Coast steelhead distinct population segment.  The homeless man was convicted under state law, and NMFS officials have indicated that they will not bring a federal enforcement action.  One wonders whether environmental groups will bring a citizen suit action. … ...

Articles

nearly $10 million per year spent on behalf of the Mojave desert tortoise

January 21, 2009 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

According to a new AP report, from 1996 to 2006, "more than $93 million was spent on managing the long-lived reptile, records show. That's more than was spent on other species such as the grizzly bear, gray wolf or bald eagle." … ...

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"Disputed power line gains federal agency's approval"

January 21, 2009 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

So reports the San Diego Union-Tribune.  Although the power line "is needed to bring power from wind, geothermal and solar facilities in Imperial County and Mexico, and . . .will provide capacity so other lines can carry wind power from eastern San Diego County," the fact that it will be a conduit for an alternative … ...

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post-inauguration news and analysis

January 21, 2009 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

The AP laments the fact that the Obama administration will be unable to quickly reverse the new Section 7 consultation regulations. The Arizona Daily Star suggests that, nonetheless, the new rules face "an uncertain future." Aaron Kiess, the Executive Director of the California Alfalfa and Forage Association, has an op-ed in the Western F ...

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Interior Secretary : reflections and predictions

January 19, 2009 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

The Idaho Statesman has this analysis of outgoing Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne. Meanwhile, the LA Times previews incoming Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, and the Heritage Foundation has some key questions for him. … ...

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Section 7 regs litigation update

January 19, 2009 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

Last week the Oregonian reported that Oregon has joined the lawsuit challenging the new Section 7 consultation regulations. … ...

Articles

Black Abalone Listed

January 14, 2009 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

The National Marine Fisheries Service yesterday announced that the black abalone has been listed as endangered.  The principal threat to the abalone is a bacterial infection called withering syndrome, which affects the abalone's ability to take in food and which originated in the Channel Islands of California.  Commenting on the lis ...

Articles

tri-state water rights litigation update

January 13, 2009 | By PACIFIC LEGAL FOUNDATION

Yesterday the U.S. Supreme Court denied Georgia's petition for writ of certiorari in Georgia v. Florida. This case concerns an agreement between Georgia and the Army Corps of Engineers regarding Georgia's future water supply from Lake Lanier, a man-made lake north of Georgia. Last February, the D.C. Circuit invalidated the agreement, essent ...