LOS ANGELES, Nov. 15, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Morris Polich & Purdy LLP (MPP) filed a writ in the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court on October 30, 2012, on behalf of the Concerned Landowners in the Paso Robles Basin (CLPRB) which challenges the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin Conservation Ordinance.
Adopted by the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors on September 20, 2012, the Ordinance restricts certain discretionary property development in San Luis Obispo County, prohibits certain land divisions in San Luis Obispo County and makes certain changes to the San Luis Obispo County General Plan purportedly to save water. The Board also deemed the Ordinance to be categorically exempt from the strictures of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
"CEQA is supposed to work for everyone. The Board played fast and loose with its requirements. Our challenge is to assure fairness in the process in passing ordinances that effect the environment and the people of the community," said Counsel for CLPRB Steven L. Hoch, MPP partner. "You can't decide to follow the rules sometimes and then not follow them for political expediency."
Specifically, the writ claims that the Board failed to take into account that the Ordinance would produce many environmental impacts and failed to take into account that the Ordinance's description was vague, ambiguous, incomplete and inadequate and that it improperly segmented, resulting in an improper, incomplete and inadequate "piecemeal" review of the potential impacts.
"We are attempting to convince the Board that they made a mistake and hopefully reconsider the issue before the cost of their mistake takes too much out of the public's coffers," continued Mr. Hoch. "The funds are not coming out of the Board's pockets. Everyone one in the county will have to pay for their error."
Mr. Hoch is an environmental regulatory and litigation attorney who is a recognized authority and leader in his field with over 35 years of experience with both federal and state environmental laws and regulations.
About MPP
Morris Polich & Purdy LLP is a law firm, with offices in Los Angeles, Irvine, San Diego, San Francisco and Las Vegas, that works with its clients on a national basis. We represent clients in every state, as well as many U.S. possessions, where their cases arise. We also have a wealth of international affiliations.
Our dedication to clients, combined with extensive experience, both in the trial and appellate courts, are the qualities that distinguish us from other law firms. Our attorneys are known for their vast experience and success, and have earned the firm its reputation with the bench and bar as down to earth, practiced, sensible, skillful, professional litigators. We provide superior legal services in a manner consistent with our clients' best interests and goals. We are committed to expertise in all our areas of practice, knowing our clients' businesses and providing client service at its highest level.