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President Trump is expected to sign a ceremonial order in California today, lowering water levels in the San Francisco Bay Delta. The order will direct more of the state’s water to agricultural regions of the state, including Westlands Water District, the largest former client of Interior Secretary David Bernhardt.
The move goes against the advice of Interior Department scientists, who found that the rule changes would harm species in the Delta. The move will harm endangered fish such as the delta smelt and winter-run salmon.
Trump’s visit to California comes on the heels of Interior Secretary Berhardt’s visit to a major water forum in Tulare County with California Rep. Devin Nunes, where some local press organizations were denied entry. Bernhardt’s work in California has long been criticized, especially following an Interior proposal to award a large federal contract to one of Bernhardt’s former lobbying clients.
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From a transparency standpoint, this is not good... From a congressional standpoint, it’s confusing, because usually members of Congress really want reporters to cover this.”
