The Biden administration finalized new rules for California’s massive water delivery system to protect endangered species, but potential reversals loom under the incoming Trump administration.
Camille von Kaenel reports for POLITICO.
In short:
- The Biden administration completed its overhaul of water rules for the Central Valley Project to prioritize endangered species like Chinook salmon and Delta smelt.
- The plan makes operational changes, including reservoir management and habitat restoration, but faces criticism from environmentalists and water users for being rushed and incomplete.
- With a Trump administration likely to reverse these rules, conflicting state and federal policies could complicate water operations and lead to lawsuits.
Key quote:
“This is not the Christmas present we asked for and certainly not the lifeline already struggling salmon fishing families needed while neck deep in a two-year salmon fishing shutdown.”
— Scott Artis, executive director of Golden State Salmon Association
Why this matters:
California’s water policies affect endangered species, agriculture and millions of residents. The uncertainty of federal and state alignment complicates long-term conservation and water management, particularly as climate change worsens droughts.
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