Redwine and Sherrill's experience in water law began with the
Coachella Valley Water District before the Second World War, and
continued with the formation of the Eastern Municipal Water
District after that war. The firm has been involved directly or
indirectly, in many major water projects in Southern California
that provide water for all users south of the Tehachapis, including
the high and low deserts. Redwine and Sherrill has contributed
significantly to the California County Water District Law and has
worked closely with the Department of the Interior to acquire
federal support for numerous local water district projects.
Concurrent with the intense agricultural and resort development in
the Southern California desert communities, Redwine and Sherrill
developed expertise in acquiring the right-of-way for the
Whitewater River Stormwater Channel. The legal stratagems for this
channel, also known as the Coachella Valley Storm Drain, included
the complicated acquisition of right-of-way over Indian and federal
lands. This was a key element in valley-wide flood protection and
drainage plans that enabled the large-scale development of the
Coachella Valley.
Redwine and Sherrill has participated in all stages of the Arizona
vs. California litigation regarding apportionment of the waters of
the Colorado River to and among the various Basin States and their
users, including the Colorado River Indian Tribes. The firm has
been involved in negotiations regarding water rights claims by
other tribes and has gained expertise in the intricacies of Indian
water rights in California. Today, the firm continues as an active
participant in the development of water law by serving in
leadership positions on committees of statewide associations.
- Water rights
- Environmental law
- Surface waters (appropriative and riparian rights)
- Groundwater rights (appropriative and artificial recharge,
recapture and storage)
- Recycled water
- State Water Project contract rights
- Indian and Federal Reserve rights
- Mutual water company stock certificate rights
- California Environmental Quality Act
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
- Clean Water Act (NPDES)
- Permits and Section 404 wetlands issues
- Safe Drinking Water Act
- Endangered Species Act and California Endangered Species
Act
- California Fish and Game Code - stream bed alteration
agreements and fish flow requirements
- Public trust issues
- Wastewater/sanitation financing and revenues
- Collection, treatment and disposal of wastewater
- Reclamation and reuse of wastewater
- Regulatory compliance - Porter Cologne Water Quality Act and
Clean Water Act, enforcement and responses
- Rate-setting requirements and procedures
- Property taxes
- Special assessment districts
- Groundwater replenishment assessment
- Bonded indebtedness
- Certificates of participation
