SACRAMENTO — Republican lawmakers are objecting to a lawsuit in which California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Xavier Becerra challenged the White House over new federal rules concerning agricultural usage of state rivers.
In an emailed statement, Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, defended the changes, which opponents say could be detrimental to endangered animal populations.
“President Trump’s ruling benefits families by ensuring security in our food supply,” Grove said. “In addition to providing water that grows food, this will also help bring water to tens of millions of Californians.”
The state lawsuit challenges federal rules about pumping water from the Sacramento and San Joaquin River watersheds by arguing a reduction in water levels will result in greater numbers of dead fish.
“To ensure that we are utilizing the best science that is available, the Endangered Species Act must be reviewed over time,” Grove said. “The new science opinions that provided the backing for the water ruling did just that — they utilized modern, updated, scientific evidence. In addition, these opinions included extensive input from state agencies in California.”
Grove pointed to an October release from the Bay Delta Fish and Wildlife Office, a division of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, that documented a study on the coordinated long-term operation of the Central Valley Project and State Water Project with specific attention to Delta smelt and 15 land-based species. That study showed the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s proposed projects wouldn’t jeopardize or threaten endangered species or adversely change critical habitats.
“It is unfortunate that it appears politics have outweighed the need to invest in our food supply,” Grove said. “I maintain committed to working with the Governor’s administration and am hopeful we can work together to mitigate the impact of this reckless lawsuit, and other issues hurting California’s food producers.”