California vehemently opposes Trump's proposal to redirect additional delta water south

The Trump administration intends to relax environmental safeguards for endangered fish in Californias Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta while increasing water deliveries to Central Valley farms, according to documents obtained by the Los Angeles Times. Letters from Governor Gavin Newsoms office strongly criticize this federal proposal.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation recently informed California agencies of its plan to pump additional delta water into the southbound aqueducts of the federally managed Central Valley Project. This move would boost water supply for agriculture and communities across the San Joaquin Valley. The plan aligns with a January executive order by President Trump and diminishes protections for several fish species whose numbers have significantly declined in recent years.

Three state agencies formally opposed the plan in letters to the Bureau of Reclamation last month, signaling renewed conflict with the federal government over management of Californias major water systems. While some Central Valley farmers support diverting more water to agriculture, citing state policies as harmful to their operations, California officials warn of severe environmental consequences.

Diane Riddle from the State Water Resources Control Board noted that the federal proposal would increase water withdrawals during both wet and dry years, reducing delta water levels and causing significant impacts to native fish species. Modeling shows that dry years would be particularly damaging, when fish populations are already stressed.

State and federal pumping facilities in the delta must often limit operation to maintain sufficient water for endangered fish. Powerful pumps can reverse water flow, drawing fish into shallow waters where nonnative predators easily catch them. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife highlighted concerns about weakened protections for winter-run and spring-run chinook salmon, steelhead trout, delta smelt, and longfin smelt.

Joshua Grover, deputy director of the agencys Ecosystem Conservation Division, said that remaining federal protections are vague, impractical, or not grounded in the best available science. State officials also warned that increased federal pumping could force reductions in water supplied to millions of Southern California residents. John Yarbrough of the Department of Water Resources emphasized that the State Water Project, which serves 27 million people and 750,000 acres of farmland, might have to cut water deliveries despite increased federal pumping due to legal obligations under state and federal endangered species laws.

The federal plan, known as Action 5, introduces uncertainty for cities reliant on delta water and risks undermining decades of cooperation between state and federal water agencies. Yarbrough urged the Bureau of Reclamation to reconsider Action 5 and comply with environmental review requirements and longstanding coordination agreements.

During his first term, Trump also sought to change California water regulations, but previous attempts to weaken delta protections were successfully challenged in court. This allowed the Biden administration, in collaboration with Newsoms team, to implement new rules for managing Californias extensive water delivery systems.

Environmental and fishing organizations criticize the federal plan, arguing it prioritizes agricultural interests over ecosystems and other water users. Barry Nelson of the Golden State Salmon Association warned that cutting protections for struggling fish could have catastrophic consequences, urging Governor Newsom to take legal action against the federal decision.

Author: Aiden Foster