citing the LA fires, Trump directed federal agencies to “immediately take actions to override” water operations and environmental rules. But the water mostly serves Central Valley farms.
President donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order Sunday that told federal agencies to “immediately take action” to deliver more Central Valley water and eliminate rules that stand in the way, including endangered species protections.
In the new order, Trump cited the Los Angeles fires, even though the actions he is ordering — delivering more water from the federal Central Valley Project — would primarily serve farms. About 75% of Central valley Project water is used for agriculture, while much of the rest goes to cities and towns in the San Joaquin Valley, including Sacramento and Fresno.
“In particular, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce shall immediately take actions to override existing activities that unduly burden efforts to maximize water deliveries,” Trump’s order reads.
At stake are the rules that guide two massive Delta water systems, the federal Central Valley Project and a state-operated system, the State Water Project. These networks of reservoirs, pumps and canals deliver water to millions of acres of farmland and 30 million people. They draw water from rivers that flow into the Sacramento-san Joaquin Delta and San Francisco bay, which imperils Chinook salmon, smelt and sturgeon that are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act.
Trump ordered federal agencies to “expedite action related to any exemption under the Endangered Species Act…for the long-term operation” of the water delivery systems. In addition, he directed the federal Bureau of Reclamation to “take all available measures to ensure that State agencies — including the California Department of Water Resources — do not interfere.” He entitled a section “Overriding Disastrous California Policies.”
Environmental groups are likely to sue if federal agencies override the Endangered Species Act when setting rules that control how much water is delivered via the Central Valley Project or State Water project.
“Do not be fooled by Trump’s lies: none of the policies in this executive order will move even a single drop of extra water to communities devastated by these wildfires. This management is presenting us with a false choice,” U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman, a California Democrat who is the ranking member of the House natural Resources Committee, said in a statement Sunday. “fishers, farmers, treasured species, and every water user all depend on our water resources – we do not have to pick winners or losers.”
Several community watchdog and environmental groups, including Restore the Delta and San Francisco Baykeeper, warned that Trump’s actions “will have devastating consequences for California’s water future, public health, and environmental protections, threatening a federal takeover of California’s right to manage its land and waters.”
Noting that the actions would benefit farmers, San Francisco Baykeeper Science Director Jon Rosenfield called the administration “a lawless regime that uses extortion to enrich their political supporters.”
The powerful Westlands Water District, representing farmers in parts of Kings and Fresno counties, said Sunday that they welcome Trump’s order.“The challenges that he highlights are real, and his leadership in addressing the barriers to water delivery are welcomed,” the district said in a statement. “it’s clear that what we’ve been doing for the past few decades has not been working; not for the people, for agriculture, or for the fish.”
Trump’s order said “it is indeed in the Nation’s interest to ensure that California has what it needs to prevent and fight these fires and others in the future. Therefore, it is the policy of the United States to provide Southern California with necessary water resources, notwithstanding actively harmful State or local policies.”
The environmental groups said Trump’s directives “conflate fire prevention needs with water operations in California all based on the myth that water operations for environmental protections had any impact on water infrastructure used in the Los Angeles fires.”
Some Los Angeles fire hydrants ran out of water fighting the fires, but city fire and utility officials say it was caused by a sudden surge in demand and limited capacity of city pipelines — not a lack of supply. In addition, the city’s water comes mostly from the Owens Valley and groundwater, not the Delta or the Central Valley.
Rosenfield said the State Water Project ensures, even in the worst of droughts, that communities have a minimum share of water designated for purposes of “human health and safety,” which includes firefighting needs. “They always deliver that human health and safety water, always — it’s never interrupted,” Rosenfield said.
The Central Valley Project provides about 5 million acres feet of water to farms, enough to irrigate about a third of the agricultural land in California, according to the Bureau of Reclamation. It also delivers about 600,000 acre-feet for municipal and industrial use in the San Joaquin Valley and some Bay area cities, enough to supply about 1 million households with water each year.
Farmworkers work on a field in Fresno County. Farmers in that area receive water from the Delta.Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local
Trump called on the Bureau of Reclamation to operate the Central Valley Project with rules that his first administration implemented in 2020. Reverting to those rules could override rules signed into law in December by Biden administration officials and endorsed by Gov. Gavin Newsom administration officials.The Biden rules would reduce Central Valley Project farm deliveries, but the State Water Project — which serves southern California cities and also San Joaquin Valley farms — would receive more water compared to Trump’s 2020 rules.
Directors of the state’s water and resources agencies could not be reached for comment.
Ryan Endean, a public information officer with the california Department of Water Resources, said in a statement last week that his agency stands by its new Delta water management rules. Under those rules, Endean said, “farms and cities have the potential to gain additional water supply, while endangered species are protected. To abandon these new frameworks would harm California water users and protection of native fish species.”
Experts say the Bay-Delta ecosystem is collapsing, and salmon populations have declined so severely that commercial and recreational salmon fishing have been banned in California for two straight years — with a third year expected,to.
The order follows a series of remarks in recent weeks by the President that reflect a profound misunderstanding of California’s water supply, weaving between inaccurate and fantastical.
In Pacific Palisades on Friday, while visiting with local leaders in the aftermath of the region’s wildfires, Trump said, “We have to have that water … You’re talking about unlimited water coming down from the Pacific Northwest, even coming up from parts of Canada, and it pours down naturally … you’ll never run out, you’ll never have shortages and you won’t have things like this, and when you do you’ll have a lot of water to put it out.” Water does not flow into California from Canada, and the Pacific Northwest does not feed into Central Valley rivers. Rather, the water comes largely from Sierra Nevada snowmelt.
Fall-run Chinook salmon migrate and spawn in the Feather River near a hatchery in Oroville, on Nov. 15, 2024.Their populations have been in severe decline largely because river waters have been diverted to farms and cities. Photo by Xavier mascareñas, California Department of Water Resources
The order also includes provisions to expedite aid to victims of the Southern California wildfires and Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.
He ordered federal agencies to provide a plan that “expedites options for housing relief to survivors displaced by wildfires in California.” Also, “within 5 days from the date of this order,” he ordered federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, to “expedite the bulk removal of contaminated and general debris” in order “to accelerate the rebuilding of areas devastated” by the wildfires.
County officials and the army Corps of Engineers officials have warned homeowners in the fire zones that sifting through debris and removing it could be harmful without guidelines and precautions from the EPA for handling hazardous waste.
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Nonpartisan, Independent California News for All: The CalMatters Mission
In a media landscape often clouded by bias and corporate influence, CalMatters stands as a beacon of integrity and transparency. As a nonprofit and nonpartisannews organization, CalMatters is dedicated to delivering trustworthy journalism that empowers Californians.
“Our journalists are here to empower you, and our mission continues to be essential,” the organization states. This mission is rooted in three core principles: independence, focus on California issues, and accountability.
independence and Nonpartisanship
CalMatters prides itself on being independent and nonpartisan. Their journalism is free from partisan politics and corporate influence, ensuring that the information they provide is unbiased and accessible to all Californians. “Our trustworthy journalism is free from partisan politics, free from corporate influence, and actually free for all Californians,” they emphasize.
Focus on California Issues
From the environment to homelessness, the economy, and beyond, CalMatters is laser-focused on the issues that matter most to Californians. They publish the unfettered truth to keep their readers informed and engaged. “We are focused on California issues,” they assert,highlighting their commitment to covering the stories that impact the state’s residents directly.
Accountability in Power
CalMatters doesn’t shy away from holding the powerful accountable. “We probe and reveal the actions and inactions of powerful people and institutions, and the consequences that follow,” they explain. This dedication to accountability ensures that those in positions of authority are transparent and answerable to the public.
A Call to Action
Despite their critical work, CalMatters relies on the support of its readers to continue its mission. “We can’t keep doing this without support from readers like you,” they state. Currently, during their year-end drive, donations are tripled, offering an opportunity for readers to triple their impact.
“Please give what you can today.Every gift helps,” they urge, emphasizing the importance of community support in sustaining their efforts.
Why CalMatters Matters
CalMatters is more than just a news organization; it’s a vital resource for Californians seeking reliable, unbiased information. their commitment to independence, focus on local issues, and dedication to accountability make them an indispensable part of the state’s media landscape.
| key Pillars of CalMatters | Description |
|——————————-|—————–|
| Independence | Free from partisan politics and corporate influence. |
| Focus on California | Covers critical issues like the environment,homelessness,and the economy. |
| Accountability | Holds powerful people and institutions accountable. |
Supporting CalMatters means supporting a future where journalism remains a cornerstone of democracy. Visit their website to learn more and contribute to their mission.
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