Environmental Groups Sue Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board over Waivers for Agricultural Discharges

California Sportfishing Protection Alliance v. California Regional Water Quality Control Board—Central Valley, filed June 15, 2007, Sacramento Superior Court

Citing concerns about the impact that agricultural discharges into streams may have on fish populations in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta, on June 18, 2007 two environmental protection organizations sued the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) for renewing waivers that exempt agricultural dischargers from reporting and permitting requirements under California’s water quality protection laws. In California Sportfishing Protection Alliance v. California Regional Water Quality Control Board—Central Valley, Sacramento Superior Court, filed June 15, 2007, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance and Baykeeper have requested that the Sacramento Superior Court set aside both the Regional Board’s waivers of waste discharge requirements and the negative declaration prepared in conjunction with the waivers, on the ground that the Regional Board’s adoption of the waivers violates the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act and the California Environmental Quality Act.