California Tribe Sues 2 Water Districts, Says Water Fee Is Illegal

Mealey's (January 30, 2020, 12:51 PM EST) -- RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians on Jan. 24 filed a declaratory action complaint against long-time legal foes Coachella Valley Water District and Desert Water Agency for imposing a water “replenishment assessment charge” (RAC) for water drawn from the tribe’s federally reserved groundwater (Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians v. Coachella Valley Water District, et al., No. 20-174, C.D. Calif., Eastern Div.)....