Central Delta Water Agency v. California Department of Water Resources

The California Court of Appeal rejected arguments that the California Environmental Quality Act review for the Lookout Slough Tidal Habitat Restoration and Flood Improvement Project did not adequately analyze impacts on hydrology and water quality. The court described the project as involving restoration of 3,164 acres of tidal wetlands in the Cache Slough region of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the widening of a portion of the Yolo Bypass. Its purposes are to create habitat for various fish and other species and to provide flood protection, including with a new setback levee that includes additional height for climate change and sea level rise resiliency. The court found that the environmental review adequately considered impacts on harmful algal blooms, water salinity, and water quality.