On July 7, 2026, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) completed its review of final rules to rescind the regulatory definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine
AI Lessons: What Eminent Domain Practitioners and Litigants Should Learn from Emerging Case Law
Several members of Nossaman’s team presented at the International Right of Way Association Chapter 1 Annual Valuation Seminar held on May 28, 2026, in Montebello, California. The seminar covered a wide range of valuation topics as specifically applied in an
California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is entering a critical phase as the focus shifts from planning to implementation and measurable outcomes. State agencies are taking a more assertive role, with the Department of Water Resources continuing to evaluate the
As public agencies increasingly turn to alternative delivery methods for water infrastructure projects, the application of California’s design immunity protections is becoming more complex. While design immunity traditionally shields public entities from liability when approved plans are reasonable and design
Filling the Federal Void: State-by-State PFAS Regulations in an Era of Deregulation – Part III
Water affordability in California is becoming an increasingly complex challenge as rising costs are driven by aging infrastructure, climate pressures and stricter water quality requirements. Investments in system upgrades, along with the need to address emerging contaminants like PFAS, are
In 2024, the Supreme Court upended decades of California precedent when it held that legislatively enacted development impact fees must satisfy the “essential nexus” and “rough proportionality” tests established in Nollan v. California Coastal Commission and Dolan v. City of
Evolving Inverse Condemnation Liability Risks in California: What Water Suppliers and Utilities Should Monitor
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will distribute billions of dollars in grants for PFAS treatment infrastructure and to educate communities and water systems about how to make the most of these resources and position themselves for compliance with its new
