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Legal Action:
BlueTriton /
Nestle Water

A study investigates an expired Special Use Permit allowing Blue Triton (formerly owned by Nestlé Waters North America) to collect year-round spring water from Strawberry Creek in San Bernardino National Forest. The water is transported through steel pipes on Forest Service lands to private storage tanks. Since 1947, a total of 4,247,454,000 gallons of spring water have been transported and sold as Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water. Special Use Permits for this system date back to 1929, with no recorded water quantity extraction at that time.

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Freedom of Information Act request of USFS

Freedom of Information Act request of USFS : communication regarding BlueTriton Brands permit

Legal Documents

CA Water Resources Control Board Hearing Aug 2022

Story of Stuff Closing Brief for SWRCB Hearing 08/05/22

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Freedom of Information Act Request of  USFS 06/13/2024

USFS Letter to BlueTriton regarding Special Use Permit 05/24/24

BlueTriton Senior Mgr Objects to Notice of Denial

BTB Senior Mgr Louis Mixson III files Declaration asking Court for Preliminary Injunction Claiming Injury to BlueTriton

 BlueTriton Brands permit communication with USFS 06/04/24

Freedom of Information Act request Special Use Permit (San Bernardino National Forest)

USFS Response to Freedom of Information Act request 07/30/24

Letter obtained from USFS to Amanda Frye regarding BlueTriton Brands Permit Communications

BlueTriton Brands vs USFS Lawsuit 08/06/24

BlueTriton Brands sues USFS seeking declaratory and injunctive relief

BlueTriton Brands vs US Forest Service Lawsuit Docket 08/13/24

View all files within the docket for the lawsuit

BlueTriton Brands Motion for Preliminary Injunction 08/06/24

BlueTriton asserts it has held water rights from Arrowhead Springs for over 150 years.

Support for USFS against BlueTriton 08/13/24

Personal Declarations Filed in Support of USFS in Legal Action Against Blue Triton Brands Over Permit Denial

USFS denies special use permit for BlueTriton

 USFS denies special use permit for BlueTriton 07/26/24

SOFA vs USFS Complaint seeking declaratory and injunctive relief 06/25/24

Docket of SOFA vs USFS complaint. Last pdf is complaint. 

SOFA vs USFS Press Release 06/25/24

Delays in enforcing the State Water Board order prompted the Save Our Forest Association to sue the US Forest Service.

SOFA Comments 06/26/23 for State Water Board Cease & Desist Order

Comments on Proposed Cease and Desist Order regarding BlueTriton Brands (predecessor Nestle Waters North America) to the CA State Water Resources

Order Required for Unauthorized Water Diversions

The proposed Cease and Desist Order (CDO) must be adopted to protect the public's water rights and enforce penalties. 

State Water Board Closing Brief of Amanda Frye 08/05/24

In support of an immediate Cease and Desist Order (CDO), emphasize the unauthorized water withdrawals by BlueTriton Brands, Inc. 

State Water Board Closing Brief of Steve Loe 08/04/22

After Nestle Sale: Comments and objections were requested after a multi-year investigation and public hearings. Concerns include the absence of valid water rights for certain springs. 

Urgent Need for Cease and Desist Order to Protect Strawberry Creek and Downstream Users

As an original complainant, she highlights the severe ecological damage caused by the unauthorized withdrawals and the detrimental effects on the Strawberry Creek ecosystem

SOFA's appeal to the USFS to cease the water diversion

The Save Our Forest Association (SOFA) appeals to halt Nestle's water diversion since 2015 and urges protection of natural resources. Concerns include including more springs in the conservation order and addressing public trust issues.

Draft Cease and Desist Order Decision from State Water Board

The State Water Resources Control Board issued a draft cease and desist order to BlueTriton Brands, Inc. It directs them to stop unauthorized water diversions, except for specific operations with the San Manuel Band.

Comments for the Cease & Desist Order for BlueTriton 04/21/23

After Nestle Sale: Comments and objections were requested after a multi-year investigation and public hearings. Concerns include the absence of valid water rights for certain springs. 

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