On May 13, 2025, the 5th Court of Appeals of California issued an unpublished opinion which reversed a dismissal by the trial court, upheld Water Audit California’s standing as a private attorney general, and rejected the defendants’ invocation of federal pre-emption.
Tag Archives: fish passage
[Court Record] Appellate court sides with Water Audit in Merced fish ladder appeal
The 5th Court of Appeals of California issued an unpublished opinion which reversed a dismissal by the trial court, upheld Water Audit California’s standing as a private attorney general, and rejected the defendants’ invocation of federal jurisdiction.
State and federal agencies want fish ladder restored on Merced River
Two powerful state and federal agencies have stuck their toes, so to speak, into an ongoing lawsuit against Merced Irrigation District demanding the district reopen a long defunct fish ladder. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and National Marine Fisheries Service both sent letters to Merced Irrigation District after Water Audit California sued the …
Continue reading “State and federal agencies want fish ladder restored on Merced River”
First flows for new Hemphill Dam fish passage
Six miles of habitat on the Auburn Ravine have been opened to for migrating and resident fish by the completion of the the Nevada Irrigation District’s Hemphill fish passage.
Merced Irrigation District sued over defunct fish ladder
Water Audit California has filed suit against the Merced Irrigation District demanding repair and maintained of a neglected fish ladder at Crocker-Huffman Dam.
Hemphill Dam begins construction of fish passage
WAC has been able to verify that construction of the Hemphill Dam fish passage is underway. This project is the culmination of a 20-year process involving citizen advocates and regulatory agencies, including litigation by Water Audit California.
Water Audit California victory for fishes at Hemphill Dam
Legal action by Water Audit California has prompted Nevada Irrigation District to adopt a fish passage improvement plan for Hemphill Dam in Auburn Ravine.
[Court Record] WATER AUDIT CALIFORNIA v. NEVADA IRRIGATION DISTRICT
Water Audit California has filed suit against the Nevada Irrigation District’s Hemphill Diversion Facility (Hemphill Dam) alleging it “is an unlawful stream obstruction and an unlawful manner of diversion”.