State's water quality law will likely continue to protect wetlands in an expansive way. 

Enviros' argument that sea-level rise should be considered in EIR also rejected by appellate court.

A lifetime urban dweller, Donald Trump was an anti-city president. Biden is a lifelong Amtrak rider -- and California urban planning is likely to change with him at the helm.

But California backstop will maintain expansive definition of wetlands in the state.

Also: Statute of limitations on the Mitigation Fee Act, a request to depublish the Millenium Hollywood case, and the U.S. Supreme decline to hear a takings case from Massachusetts involving a local wetlands ordinance.

Planners thought strategy to protecting wetlands and promoting development was good enough -- but enviros thought otherwise. >>read more

The Supreme Court nominee takes a narrow view of administrative agencies' power -- but is likely to apply that view in a nonpartisan way. >>read more

End of signature Obama policy could put more pressure on California state environmental laws. >>read more