Editor’s Note…

by Julia Stein

As we approach the 2020 elections, the field of California environmental law continues to be as dynamic as ever—both in response to and independently from federal actions. This issue features thoughts from a range of authors on issues of import both in California and federally.

We begin with Kate Fritz‘s take on sustainable groundwater management in California, and how the recent California Appellate Court decision in Environmental Law Foundation v. State Water Resources Control Board may impact implementation of California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Next, Julia Levin offers a perspective on the role of bioenergy in meeting California’s climate goals and steps the State could take to accelerate bioenergy development. Timothy O’Connor, Kamya Sud, and Andreya Woo then provide some historical context for California’s leadership on comprehensive methane emission standards and explain their impact on the energy sector moving forward. Marisa Choy and Mark Massara analyze a number of recent coastal access disputes through the lens of the Martins Beach case, explaining how the Coastal Act can play a unique role depending on the factors at issue in each circumstance. Sean Herman explores ambiguities in the text of the federal Clean Water Act and urges Congressional action to resolve ongoing questions about the Act’s implementation. Finally, Gary Lucks brings us his traditional round-up of environmental legislation passed during California’s last legislative session. As California transitions to the Newsom Administration, the state continues to tackle significant environmental issues—transit-oriented development, wildfire risk, climate change, and others—despite regulatory rollbacks at the federal level.

As we move forward as part of CLA, we would love to hear thoughts or suggestions you have for us, whether they be article topics for Environmental Law News, webinar topics, suggestions for future in-person programs, or other ways you think we can better serve our membership. And if you’re interested in writing for our Fall 2019 issue, please reach out to me at steinj@law.ucla.edu or to Jennifer Harder at jharder@pacific.edu. We’re always excited to hear from prospective authors!