Wildfires, water shortages, and a tiny fish—how are they connected? In Part One, we discussed Southern California’s heavy reliance on the State Water Project for drinking water. But why does the Delta Smelt get blamed for fire damage in Los Angeles? The answer lies in California’s ongoing battle over water.
Environmental assessments, commonly referred to as Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), are vital for evaluating potential contamination risks associated with real estate properties. These assessments play a crucial role in identifying environmental liabilities, ensuring due diligence, and safeguarding property investments. Here are key considerations when deciding whether to conduct an environmental assessment for your next real estate transaction.
Here in Southern California, fire warnings and alerts are currently part of daily life. It’s natural to wonder why this is happening and to search for answers.
FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) and NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) play crucial roles in addressing the impacts of natural disasters, through both preparation and response strategies.
As we usher in 2025, California continues to push the nation with forward-thinking environmental legislation. While many new laws reflect the State’s commitment to innovation and resilience, they are also likely to impact businesses across various industries.
In recent years, discussions surrounding the role of federal agencies in environmental regulation have intensified, and an initiative that has drawn attention is Project 2025.
On October 1, 2024, the United States Supreme Court heard arguments in a Clean Water Act case between the City of San Francisco and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that could significantly impact local and national environmental policies.
Beginning in 2026, AB 98 will implement several restrictions on warehouse developments to address environmental and community concerns. The law requires warehouses to be set back from “sensitive sites” such as homes, schools, parks, and healthcare facilities.
It may not seem entirely obvious that simple best management practices like tarping outdoor equipment, covering trash cans and sweeping dust and scraps from industrial activity can make a big difference when a catastrophic weather event or natural disaster hits—it is those measures that filter contaminants before they enter waterways and when storms hit.
Amid a bona fide housing crisis facing California, the state has turned to a powerful and controversial new solution: the Builder’s Remedy. The Builder’s Remedy, found in the State’s Housing Accountability Act, is an emergency tool designed to create housing at an unprecedented rate.
This week, the city of Palos Verdes Estates settled a high profile, eight-year long, lawsuit brought by two surfers seeking better and full access to a popular surfing spot. The "Bay Boys" lawsuit alleged that locals acted as a gang, harassing outsiders trying to surf at Lunada Bay.
When discussing how certain chemicals have become so common in our soil, air, and water, people often ask, "How did things get this bad?" One reason is the difference in how countries handle chemical safety.
