Reports from California fire management agencies and news outlets

Trump Orders Federal Override of California's Water Management in Los Angeles Region via Central Valley Project to Combat Wildfires

Jan 28, 2025, 04:44 AM

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued an executive order directing federal agencies to override California's water management practices in response to the ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles region. The order, signed on January 26, aims to ensure adequate water resources are available in Southern California to combat the fires. It mandates the Secretaries of Defense, Justice, Homeland Security, Commerce, Interior, and Agriculture to take immediate steps to secure water, even if it means bypassing state and local laws. Trump's directive specifically targets the Central Valley Project, ordering the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to deliver more water and hydropower through this system. The move has been criticized by California Governor Gavin Newsom's office, which argues that the region's water supply is sufficient and not connected to the firefighting efforts. The executive order also calls for a review of federal funding for California's land and water management programs, potentially attaching conditions to ensure state cooperation.