CA official concerned that Trump’s water release did not provide LA with additional water

CALIFORNIA – U.S. representative Jared Huffman (D-CA) expressed concern about President Donald Trump’s unscheduled water releases from two dams he says ‘deviated from established flood safety protocols.’

Huffman along with U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA) said the sudden move raises concerns for farms and communities due to little planning time for local authorities.

“We are equally concerned that these releases did not meet their stated intent of providing Los Angeles with additional water, and could reduce the availability of critical municipal and agricultural water supplies later in the year, further exacerbating the fire, safety, and economic risks facing this drought prone region for years,” said a statement in the letter.

Those rivers aren’t connected to Southern California

Following the January 7 wildfires in Los Angeles County, Trump criticized the state’s water management policies, as it was reported that fire hydrants ran out of water.

Trump issued an executive order saying he would ‘override existing activities that unduly burden efforts to maximize water deliveries’ to Southern California.

In a statement, a U.S. Army Corp of Engineers spokesperson wrote, “Consistent with the Executive Order…the US Army Corps of Engineers is releasing water from Terminus Dam at Lake Kaweah and Schafer Dam at Lake Success to ensure California has water available to respond to the wildfires.”

However, water strategist Barry Nelson said that the recent water release did not help Southern California.

“Number one, those rivers aren’t connected to Southern California. That water will not get to Southern California. Number two, that’s water that the Corps was holding for farmers to irrigate with next summer. Releasing it now, when it’s raining, doesn’t do anybody good, except it creates the very real risk of potential flooding,” said Nelson.

Trump said more than five billion gallons of water would be released within three days of opening up the dams.

The release of water comes amid the anticipation of two storms expected to bring rain and snow to California.

Dam managers regularly release water ahead of major storms to prevent reservoirs from overflowing.

Did Trump directly order the Corps to carry out these releases?

In the representatives’ letter to the Defense and Interior departments, they requested answers to who specifically gave the order to breach established flood safety rules for water releases.

Also they asked did Trump—or anyone in the White House—directly order the Corps to carry out these releases. And what was the Department of Government Efficiency’s involvement, if any, in these efforts.

They requested details on the steps taken to coordinate the releases with state and local officials, including who was contacted, when, and by whom.

In addition, they asked what plan is in place to replenish the water lost from this release and how local and state agencies will be kept fully involved and informed for future releases.

To read the full letter visit https://democrats-naturalresources.house.gov/imo/media/doc/HNR_TI%20water%20release%20letter_2.1.25_final.pdf