Updates and Articles
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 F.Supp. 495 (1988).)
Read MoreBig Win for Marin County’s Agriculture Zoning
The Ninth Circuit rejects the expansion of urban land uses into Marin County's “beautiful rural landscape,” holding that the landowner's facial challenge and equal protection claim are barred by the statute of limitations and the County's zoning is neither arbitrary or irrational. (Barancik v. County of Marin, 872 F.2d 834 (9th Cir. 1988).)
Read MoreCourt 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 (1987).)
Read MoreCourt 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.)
Read MoreSMW 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).)
Read MoreCourt 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).)
Read MoreSMW 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 the most stringent set of restrictions on airport operations in the nation.
Read MoreCourt 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).)
Read MoreNinth 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 Tahoe. (People of State of Calif. v. TRPA, 766 F.2d 1319 (9th Cir. 1985).)
Read MoreBay Conservation and Development Commission Authority Affirmed
The firm represents Save the Bay as an intervenor in an appellate case affirming the authority of the Bay Conservation & Development Commission (BCDC) to hold a landowner responsible for unauthorized bay fill on its property. (Leslie Salt Co. v. BCDC, 153 Cal.App.3d 605 (1984).)
Read MoreDecades After Hard Fought Battle with Developer, Park Visitors Are Beneficiaries of Settlement Agreement
With the firm's assistance, residents of Coldwater Canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains successfully scale back a large development project, resulting in the creation of Coldwater Canyon Park. The Park is home to TreePeople's headquarters, a nursery, conference center, amphitheater and miles of trails.
Read MoreSolano County Voters Pass Initiative to Protect Agricultural Land
In 1984 the firm drafts a farmland protection initiative for Solano County, and successfully defends it in court. Measure A becomes a model for land use initiatives throughout the state.
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