This week, the Sacramento County Superior Court denied a motion by the State Water Contractors to disqualify Judge Stephen P. Acquisto, who has presided for more than two years over coordinated cases challenging the Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) approvals of the Delta Tunnel project.
More than ten cases are currently pending, including challenges to DWR’s approvals under the California Environmental Quality Act, the Delta Reform Act and other statutes.
Petitioners, including all five Delta Counties, North, Central and South Delta Water Agencies, the City of Stockton, the Sacramento Area Sewer District, and a broad coalition of Tribes and environmental organizations, opposed the motion, citing the advanced stage of the proceedings and the risk of unnecessary confusion and delay.
Restore the Delta welcomes the court’s decision to deny the State Water Contractors’ attempt to remove the presiding judge and looks forward to transparent proceedings of the Delta Tunnel challenges.
Read more on the decision here.
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