Basic legal questions are gaining increasing attention in environmental actions in the courts. The directions the courts will take can have substantial impact on governmental decision-making bodies responsible for water resources planning. This study identified and discussed patterns and potential future trends in four major areas of environmental law with twenty-one legal experts. Broadened standing to sue requirements in state and federal courts suggest that agencies should not rely on lack of standing of individuals or groups to keep an environmentally significant decision from litigated. Increased legislative and judicial protection of citizen rights to participate in agency decision-making and to force compliance with regulatory standards will also have an impact on agency decision-making procedures. Responses elicited on questions in two remaining areas, expansion of Constitutional rights to include a right to a health environment and new interpretations of present common law doctrines and/or promulgation of new doctrines including public trust, were not as indicative of consensus on trends or their potential impact on agency activities. (Modified author abstract)