An environmental group and the construction industry battled it out before the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday morning. The outcome could affect San Diego's drinking water. Evelyn Lombardo reports from Washington.
San Diego contracts with the federal government for a constant supply of drinking water from the Colorado River. But if the Supreme Court rules in favor of an environmental group, that could change. Defenders of Wildlife Attorney Michael Senatore says the government must consider the effects on endangered species when it issues water permits to states.
Senatore : You've got the Endangered Species Act, primary goal is the conservation of threatened endangered species and their ecosystems, and the Clean Water Act, one of its primary goals is to maintain the biological integrity of our nation's waters.
But California's water agencies say if they have to follow tighter rules, it will be harder to provide water to cities and towns in Southern California. The Court heard oral arguments today, and a decision is expected by the end of May.
From Washington, Evelyn Lombardo, KPBS News.
