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What is RiverLaw?
As the only public interest environmental law program in California dedicated to the state's threatened watersheds, RiverLaw uses a wide variety of legal tools and laws to assist statewide and regional environmental organizations in protecting river resources. We assist with litigation, policy development, and general counseling services. In addition, our attorneys have particular expertise in water quality, water rights, endangered species, land use, and non-profit corporation law. RiverLaw draws upon the resources of Friends of the River and the Environmental Law Foundation for assistance in particular projects and cases.
RiverLaw's Focus
RiverLaw assists grassroots environmental organizations in:
| Protecting and restoring instream flow and water quality;
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| Protecting and restoring endangered and threatened riparian species and habitat;
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| Preventing inappropriate land uses and resource extraction activities (e.g., mining, grazing, and timber harvesting) that threaten river resources;
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| Implementing dam removal or modification strategies;
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| Preserving and enhancing opportunities for river recreation and access;
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| Establishing and managing non-profit organizations dedicated to river protection.
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RiverLaw's Success
Since 1998, RiverLaw has successfully:
| Forced the State Water Resources Control Board to revise water rights permits on the lower Yuba River to protect salmon in the Yuba River;
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| Obtained an injunction against the Corps of Engineers preventing the flooding of critical habitat of the endangered southwest willow flycatcher;
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| Prevented illegal logging in the Tahoe National Forest;
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| Forced the National Marine Fisheries Service to issue protective regulations for threatened steelhead trout and Chinook salmon;
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| Prevented a scheme to triple the size of a landfill in Yuba County;
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| Forced the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to designate critical habitat for four endangered species of fairy shrimp in California's Central Valley;
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| In addition, RiverLaw assisted the Sierra Buttes/Lakes Basin Coalition and the Forest Issues Group to obtain tax-exempt status and provided advice and counseling service to SYRCL and other river organizations.
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For more information about our RiverLaw Program, please contact SYRCL at (530)265-5961 or syrcl@syrcl.org
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