(January 11, 2016, 2:29 PM EST) -- WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. 11 declined a request by 10 California water districts and two cities to settle a split among two federal circuit courts about whether Congress intended the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to displace analyses required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) when it comes to balancing endangered species over human water needs (Bear Valley Mutual Water Company, et al. v. Sally Jewell, et al., No. 15-367, U.S. Sup.).

The petition was filed by the Bear Valley Mutual...