Top Democratic lawmakers are demanding answers from the Trump administration over last week’s unexpected release of water into the state’s Central Valley.
The lawmakers said the release — which was abated after local officials warned of further potential destruction — was a waste of essential resources in a drought-stricken region.
“This sudden, uncoordinated move raises serious concerns for downstream agricultural operations and communities since local authorities had little time to adjust or plan accordingly,” Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee, and Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), the top Democrat on Transportation and Infrastructure, wrote in a Feb. 1 letter to the administration.
President Donald Trump on Friday declared “victory” after saying he released 1.6 billion gallons of water from two lakes southeast of Fresno, California, the latest salvo in Trump’s war on California water management.
