Friends of the Point Pleasant Area v. County of Sacramento
In 1868 the Legislature authorized the construction of the Sacramento Drainage Canal (Canal) by defendant County of Sacramento (County). The Canal accommodated runoff of water from storms, channeling it from the City of Sacramento (City) into the southern part of Sacramento County. In 1878 the Legislature enacted a statute that transferred control of the Canal from the County to the City. In 1904 floods severely damaged the Canal. After the City declined to repair the Canal, the County undertook restoration but abandoned the effort in 1906.
A portion of the Canal lies adjacent to the Point Pleasant area of Sacramento County. Plaintiff Friends of the Point Pleasant Area (Friends), a nonprofit unincorporated association, brought suit against the County and defendant Sacramento County Water Agency (Agency). Friends sought declaratory and injunctive relief, arguing the County and the Agency have a legal duty to operate, maintain, repair, and improve the Canal.
The County and the Agency moved for summary judgment, which the trial court granted. Friends appeals, arguing the undisputed facts reveal the County has a legal duty to maintain the Canal, and the action is not barred by the statute of limitations, laches, or a lack of justiciability. We shall affirm the judgment.
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