California Water Law Journal

by Alina Werth, ’25, UC Davis School of Law[1]

Alina Werth is a rising 3L at UC Davis School of Law where she studies water and environmental law. Her article below won the 2024 California Water Law Writing Prize, sponsored by the California Water Law Symposium and University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

by Alexander J. Van Roekel ’21, UCLA School of Law, Nossaman LLP

Van Roekel’s article won the 2021 California Water Law Writing Prize, awarded at the 2021 California Water Law Symposium. The California Water Law Writing Prize is co-sponsored by the California Water Law Symposium Board of Directors and University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

California Joins Jurisdictions Authorizing Punitive Damage Claims Against Polluters That Refuse To Timely Remediate Groundwater Contamination

By Bryan Barnhart*

LL.M., University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
J.D., Hastings College of Law

California’s courts routinely impose punitive damages awards against polluters that knowingly release hazardous substances which contaminate groundwater. But California has been slow to follow the nationwide trend favoring punitive damages awards against polluters that knowingly fail to remediate their past hazardous releases before those releases spread and cause greater harm.

by Laura Yraceburu ’20, UCLA School of Law

Yraceburu’s article won the 2020 California Water Law Writing Prize, awarded at the 2020 California Water Law Symposium. The California Water Law Writing Prize is co-sponsored by the California Water Law Symposium Board of Directors and University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

Ryan J. Mahoney*

Ryan John Mahoney, JD ‘17, LLM ‘17, McGeorge School of Law, is staff counsel with the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Mr. Mahoney’s article won the 2018 California Water Law Writing Prize, awarded at the 2018 California Water Law Symposium.  

INTRODUCTION

Sedimentation of reservoirs is a threat to California’s water supply, water quality, public safety, and environmental health.