Opinion ID: 755346
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Chowchilla and Madera

Text: 50 Chowchilla and Madera argue that their contracts are unique from the other Non-federal Defendants because Madera and Chowchilla had originally possessed the land where the Friant dam was built and had adjudicated rights to the water of the San Joaquin River. In return for conveying the land and the water rights to the United States, Madera and Chowchilla argue that their 1939 contracts guaranteed a permanent supply of water from the Friant dam of 270,000 acre feet of water annually. That contract was replaced by a 1951 contract. Madera and Chowchilla argue that when the 1951 contract expired, they were reinvested with their rights under the 1939 contract and, therefore, they are exempt from the ESA. However, in Madera Irrigation Dist. v. Hancock, 985 F.2d 1397, 1405-06 (9th Cir.1993), the court concluded that these districts are not exempt from requirements under NEPA and the ESA. Chowchilla's and Madera's arguments to the contrary are without merit. 51