The U.S. Supreme Court sided with the construction industry today in a case involving the scope of the Clean Water Act . California water projects officials are praising the decision. Evelyn Lombardo reports from Washington.
Justice Samuel Alito delivered the opinion -- saying federal agencies do not have to consider endangered species when granting water permits to states.
This is good news, says attorney Rod Walston. He represents San Diego County and other California districts that use the Colorado River.
Walston : Some of the major cities of the West get their water supplies from the Colorado River. So the court's decision, if it had come out supportive of the Ninth Circuit's decision, may have limited the ability of all these major western cities to receive their water supplies.
The Ninth Circuit Court earlier ruled that the Endangered Species Act applies to all government action. The ruling is a blow to environmental groups who say the decision chips away at protection for endangered wildlife.
From Capitol Hill, Evelyn Lombardo, KPBS News.
