[CLWA] – Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Luis Lavin sustained the Castaic Lake Water Agency’s motions to dismiss an environmental group’s claims that the agency’s acquisition of stock of Valencia Water Co. violated California Environmental Quality Act, or other legal procedures.

In a detailed written decision Oct. 31, the court ruled that Santa Clarita Organization for Planning and the Environment (SCOPE) had not filed its CEQA claims in a timely manner, 30 days beyond the statute of limitations for these matters.

Further, the court held that SCOPE did not have standing to challenge the agency’s resolution adopted in a public meeting on Dec. 12, 2012, to condemn the VWC stock, which was separately approved by the Superior Court of California on Dec. 18, 2012.

“This ruling clearly and unequivocally validates that the Agency’s acquisition of Valencia Water Co. complied with both environmental and eminent domain law,” stated CLWA Board President Tom Campbell.

Lavin also ruled against SCOPE’s request to conduct discovery of The Newhall Land and Farming Co. records.  Newhall Land is the former owner (and seller) of the VWC stock.  A trial setting conference on the balance of the case is set for Jan. 20, 2014.

About the Castaic Lake Water Agency

The Castaic Lake Water Agency (CLWA) is the Santa Clarita Valley’s public water wholesaler. CLWA is one of 29 State Water Project contractors and receives water imported from northern California and Kern County through the California Aqueduct.  CLWA operates two large treatment plants, three major pump stations, three water storage facilities and over 45 miles of large diameter transmission pipelines delivering water to four local water retailers.  Our mission is to provide reliable, quality water at a reasonable cost to the Santa Clarita Valley. www.clwa.org