California appeals court hands down split decision in Sonoma County water well case

A California appellate court this week ruled Sonoma County failed to comply with the state’s bedrock environmental law when officials in 2023 amended the local ordinance regulating approval of new well permits outside city limits. The ruling means the county will likely have to devote closer study to the impact of its amended ordinance on imperiled species like salmon and steelhead trout in the Russian River watershed.