California plans to respond to the Trump administration’s recent water policy move, which is expected to deliver more water to Central Valley farmers.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta told McClatchy that his office is “looking at all available options to respond” to the new policy update.
Driving the news: Last week the Bureau of Reclamation signed the Record of Decision for Action 5, which updates the long-term operations of the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project following executive orders from President Donald Trump to maximize water deliveries.
- Westlands Water District said South-of-Delta agricultural contractors can expect to see an increase of 85,000 acre-feet per year of additional water.
- The San Luis & Delta Mendota Water Authority said the action resorts an estimated average of 250,000 to 400,000 acre-feet of combined federal and state surface water supplies to farms, communities and the environment.
- Action 5 ultimately allows for greater flexibility in how the Delta is operated, leading to increased water deliveries.
What they’re saying: “This politically motivated decision creates new risks for water availability, especially for Southern California cities, and the health of California’s waterways, fish, and wildlife,” Bonta’s office told McClatchy.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office took a similar stance to Bonta.
- “The Trump administration is putting politics over people – catering to big donors instead of doing what’s right for Californians,” Newsom’s office told McClatchy.
