From CalMatters atmosphere reporter Alastair Bland:
As downpours soak Northern California, Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered state officers to seize and retailer extra stormwater in San Joaquin Valley reservoirs for farmers and cities, and to “remove or minimize” any obstacles that stand in the best way.
If that sounds acquainted, it’s: The governor issued comparable orders two years in the past, when he waived environmental legal guidelines to retailer extra water as storms drenched the state and induced disastrous flooding. Months later, the Legislature and Newsom enacted a new legislation that smooths the best way for such actions.
In a video posted on social media, Newsom mentioned he goals to retailer extra stormwater “for people and agriculture.” The three-year, statewide drought “yielded ongoing, significant impacts” on farm communities, he wrote in his order.
Growers and cities that use water from the State Water Undertaking welcomed Newsom’s motion.
However environmental teams fear that it’s going to kill salmon and different fish spiraling towards extinction. By diverting and storing extra water, much less is left in Delta rivers for fish.
Environmentalists additionally famous the similarity between Newsom’s order and President Donald Trump’s order final week to waive the Endangered Species Act and pump extra water out of the Delta. The Military Corps of Engineers then abruptly elevated outflow from two small San Joaquin Valley reservoirs.
Trump posted on social media that the water would have prevented the Los Angeles wildfires — however that water doesn’t attain Southern California. It additionally will do little to assist farmers, since they want irrigation water for crops in spring and summer season, not now.
- Jon Rosenfieldscience director at San Francisco Baykeeper: “Trump issued an executive order that is nothing short of an assault on California’s environment, and it’s like Newsom said, ‘Hold my beer.’”
Talking of Trump: On Saturday Trump issued an order imposing tariffs on items from Mexico, Canada and China. The tariffs are supposed to maintain the nations “accountable to their promises of halting illegal immigration” and stopping fentanyl and different medicine “from flowing into our country,” in line with the order.
As CalMatters reported in NovemberMexico and China made up 40% of California’s imports in 2023 and the state may really feel the brunt of the tariffs. Nationally, costs are projected to rise by practically 1 proportion level, in line with the UCLA Anderson Forecast. As a result of Canada can also be a key provider of lumber for the U.S.Trump’s order additionally has main implications for Southern California because it rebuilds from the lethal wildfires.
Along with prospects and small companies feeling successful, leaders from Canada and Mexico mentioned they’ll impose retaliatory tariffs on American items. California’s prime exports embrace almonds, wine and dairy merchandise.