A California appeals court has ruled that Sonoma County must evaluate how groundwater pumping affects local fish and wildlife before issuing well permits along the Russian River. The court found that the county failed to properly assess the environmental impacts of its 2023 pumping rules, while firmly rejecting the county’s claim that environmental oversight falls solely on the state. Although the decision isn’t final—and Sonoma County could still take its case to the California Supreme Court—the ruling marks a major victory for local environmental protections.