Thuy Pham 
Nguồn ảnh：https://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/press-play-with-madeleine-brand/scotus-water-high-speed-train-erick-architect
The Supreme Court rules in favor of Nestlé in water rights case
On Monday, the Supreme Court made a decision in the case of Nestlé USA v. John Doe, a long-standing legal battle over water rights in California. The court ruled in favor of Nestlé, a major American food and beverage company, who had been accused of illegally diverting water from national forests in San Bernardino County.
The case began in 2017 when environmental groups and local residents filed a lawsuit against Nestlé, claiming that the company was unlawfully extracting millions of gallons of water from Strawberry Creek without a valid permit. The plaintiffs argued that Nestlé’s actions were harming the local ecosystem and depriving the community of a vital natural resource.
In a 7-1 decision, the Supreme Court sided with Nestlé, stating that the company’s water rights were legally established and authorized by the U.S. Forest Service. Justice Elena Kagan, writing for the majority, emphasized the importance of upholding property rights and the rule of law.
The ruling has sparked controversy and backlash from environmental activists and Indigenous communities, who argue that Nestlé’s water bottling operations are damaging the environment and exploiting local resources for corporate profit. Despite the court’s decision, the fight over water rights in California is far from over.
Nestlé has yet to comment on the ruling, but the company has defended its water extraction practices in the past, stating that they comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Environmental groups have vowed to continue their fight against Nestlé and other corporations that they believe are endangering California’s water supply.
