Judge leans toward dismissing some – but not key – actions in ongoing Kern River lawsuit

“Kern County Superior Court Judge Gregory Pulskamp let the battalion of attorneys in court Wednesday know he was inclined to drop at least one cause of action in the ongoing lawsuit brought by several public interest groups against the City of Bakersfield for dewatering the Kern River.

But he likely won’t dismiss one of the lawsuit’s key claims – that Bakersfield has a duty to protect the river under the Public Trust Doctrine.

“I think it will eventually come down to what the judges in the 5th District (Court of Appeal) think and maybe even go to the (California) Supreme Court,” he said in reference to the fact that several parties have already appealed to the 5th District.” [Read More]