"Farmers Face off with Smelt Water Policy"

Nossaman Partner, Rob Thornton, is quoted in this article in The Record as an expert on the Endangered Species Act (ESA) which he helped write revisions to while serving as counsel to Congress in the late 1970’s. The article discusses the recent shut down of the Sate Water Project in the Sacramento Delta due to the potential impact on an endangered species of fish, the delta smelt.

Mr. Thornton is quoted as saying, "when you have two courts invalidate approvals of the water project that serves 25 million people, that's a big deal." In reference to the ongoing work of a joint California and Federal team, CALFED, to find strategies to address the difficult water issues here in California, he went on to say, "these issues are very tough, and getting tougher."

For more information on the firm’s environmental practice please click here; for information on Nossaman’s endangered species practice, click here.