In 2021, the East Bay Municipal Utility District brought a CEQA challenge against Contra Costa County for approving a large housing development known as the Tassajara Parks Project because it lacked a stable water supply. The court found the County had indeed violated CEQA. The project can move forward, but only if the County determines where the water will come from. This case benefited not just the residents of the new subdivision, but all residents in the service area. In this way, CEQA safeguards public health.
CEQA Successes
- Reversing Approval of Insecticide Use in California That Could Cause Bee Colonies to Collapse
- Rare Wildlife Habitat, Old Growth, Headwaters Protected from Church of the Woods Development Above Lake Arrowhead
- Mitigating Wildlife and Climate Impacts of Large Mixed-Use Development in Remote, Fire-Prone Area of San Diego County
- Ensuring Protection of Coho Salmon in Lagunitas Creek
- Averting Destructing of Habitat, Cultural Sites by Geotechnical Investigations for Pacheco Dam Project
- Protecting Lake Tahoe’s Water Quality from Discharges of Dangerous Herbicides
- “Forcing a Large Industrial Park to Confront an Inadequate Water Supply”
- Ensuring Protection of Water Quality in the Eel River from Large Infrastructure
- Requiring a Water Supply for a Large Housing Development in Contra Costa County
- Establishing and Improving San Dieguito River Park