Photo of Rebecca R. A. Smith

Rebecca R. A. Smith

Subscribe to Rebecca R. A. Smith's Posts

Rebecca Smith helps public agencies, agricultural interests, and private clients navigate complex water rights, groundwater, and environmental issues throughout California. Her practice combines deep knowledge of water law with a practical understanding of the regulatory and operational challenges facing water users today.

Rebecca advises clients through administrative proceedings, permitting and appeals, and compliance with state and federal law, including the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. As a trusted general counsel, she brings a thoughtful, collaborative approach to developing creative solutions that address both immediate needs and long-term challenges.

Follow:Read more about Rebecca R. A. SmithRebecca R. A.'s Linkedin Profile

On July 21, 2017, the California Department of Water Resources (“DWR”) certified the final environmental document and issued its Notice of Determination for the California WaterFix, a significant new water infrastructure component proposed by DWR and United States Bureau of Reclamation. DWR’s action triggered a 30-day statute of limitations to raise CEQA challenges to the…

On March 2, 2017, the California Supreme Court ruled in City of San Jose v. Superior Court that where a public employee uses a personal email account or texts to communicate about the conduct of public business, those writings may be subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Act (“PRA”). While resolving one long-debated question in California law, this decision also raised myriad new issues, including issues that are specifically relevant to litigation under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”).