Sonoma County Water Coalition v. Sonoma County Water Agency
Opinion
Opinion
Bruiniers, J.
The Urban Water Management Planning Act (Wat. Code, § 10610 et seq.; the Act or UWMPA) requires water suppliers in urban areas to adopt water management plans every five years. The Sonoma County Water Agency (the Agency or SCWA) is a water supplier subject to UWMPA. At issue here is the legal adequacy of the Agency’s 2005 Urban Water Management Plan (the Plan). Respondents Sonoma County Water Coalition et al. (Coalition) unsuccessfully challenged elements of the Plan before the Agency, and then sought a writ of mandate from the Sonoma Superior Court seeking to enjoin the Agency from adopting or implementing the Plan, and directing the Agency to adopt a legally adequate plan.
The lower court granted the writ on the basis that the Plan (1) failed to provide the detailed water supply information required by UWMPA and (2) was not coordinated with other water supply regulators. The Agency appeals, contending that the trial court failed to accord deference to the expertise and discretion of the Agency, improperly made de novo determinations, and imposed requirements not found in the Act. We agree with the Agency and reverse.