A new federal program will clear the way for more water to be delivered to the state of California's agriculture industry, overruling environmental safeguards that protected fish.
Lauren Sommer reports: "The Trump administration has announced a plan to divert water to California farmers, fulfilling a campaign promise by the president, but contradicting federal biologists who found the plan would drive endangered salmon closer to extinction and could harm other fish."
The backstory for decision includes a history of the Trump administration overruling scientists on the federal payroll. When "analysis completed by NOAA Fisheries biologists in July found the administration's proposed plan jeopardized the future of endangered fish," the Trump administration removed those biologists and developed this new approach, which focuses more on real-time analysis.
"The administration's latest plan creates new hatcheries to breed fish, and relies on real-time monitoring to track the location of threatened fish. They plan to slow pumping when the fish are nearby," explains Sommer.
The announcement of the new program is set against the backdrop of questions about conflicts of interest in the Department of the Interior—Interior Secretary David Bernhardt has made decisions benefitting his former employer, the Westlands Water District.
FULL STORY: Trump Plan Weakens Protections For California Fish, Diverts Water To Farms
Trump Administration's New CA Water Plan Chooses Farmers Over Fish
A plan to divert water to farmers in California, released at the end of October, would allow for the annihilation of winter-run Chinook Salmon.
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Panel Opposes Delisting Grey Wolves
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
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