Mealey's (June 17, 2015, 11:51 AM EDT) -- WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court on Jan. 12 declined to hear two appeals that sought to clarify if the Endangered Species Act’s protection of fish and wildlife trumps the need for water for agricultural uses (Stewart & Jasper Orchards, et al. v. Sally Jewell, et al., No. 14-402, State Water Contractors, et al. v. Sally Jewell, et al., No. 14-377, No. 14-402, U.S. Sup.).

In the first case, Stewart & Jasper Orchards, Arroyo Farms LLC and King Pistachio Grove asked the high court to...