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On the calendar today …
- WEBINAR: California-Nevada Drought & Climate Outlook Webinar from 12pm to 1pm. The California-Nevada Drought Early Warning System January 2025 Drought & Climate Outlook Webinar is part of a series of regular drought and climate outlook webinars designed to provide stakeholders and other interested parties in the region with timely information on current drought status and impacts, as well as a preview of current and developing climatic events (i.e., El Niño and La Niña). Click here to register.
President Trump’s latest Executive Order …
Trump issues broad Executive Order targeting CA water policy; Stakeholders, enviro groups respond
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Policy. For weeks, residents of the Los Angeles area have watched raging fires consume their homes, belongings, beloved pets, and childhood memories. Almost immediately, firefighters were unable to fight the blaze due to dry hydrants, empty reservoirs, and inadequate water infrastructure. Today, at least 28 people have lost their lives and thousands more have lost everything else, with some damage estimates calculating hundreds of billions of dollars in damage. This tragedy affects the entire Nation, so it is in the Nation’s interest to ensure that California has what it needs to prevent and fight these fires and others in the future. Therefore, it is the policy of the United States to provide Southern California with necessary water resources, notwithstanding actively harmful State or local policies. And it is the policy of the United States to assist Americans in disaster areas through responsive policies that more effectively empower them to rebuild and regain their livelihoods. … ” Continue reading this Executive Order.
Trump orders more Central Valley water deliveries — claiming it would help LA fires
“President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order Sunday that told federal agencies to “immediately take action” to deliver more Central Valley water and eliminate rules that stand in the way, including endangered species protections. In the new order, Trump cited the Los Angeles fires, even though the actions he is ordering — primarily delivering more water from the federal Central Valley Project — would primarily serve farms. About 75% of Central Valley Project water is used for agriculture, while much of the rest goes to cities and towns in the San Joaquin Valley, including Sacramento and Fresno. “In particular, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce shall immediately take actions to override existing activities that unduly burden efforts to maximize water deliveries,” Trump’s order reads. At stake are the rules that guide two massive Delta water systems, the federal Central Valley Project and a state-operated system, the State Water Project. These networks of reservoirs, pumps and canals deliver water to millions of acres of farmland and 30 million people. They draw water from rivers that flow into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and San Francisco Bay, which imperils Chinook salmon, smelt and sturgeon that are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act. … ” Read more from Cal Matters.
Trump seeks to assert more control over California’s water
“The White House on Sunday released an executive order by President Trump that laid out a plan to exert the federal government’s role in California’s complex water management operations and claimed its authority to overrule state officials. The order, dated Friday, comes after Mr. Trump traveled to the state to see the devastation from wildfires that have been raging in Los Angeles for weeks. It put formal directives behind Mr. Trump’s steady criticism of California’s leaders and their response to the fires. In a section titled “Overriding Disastrous California Policies,” the order tasked more than half a dozen agencies with finding ways to circumvent federal and state laws that control various aspects of water management in California. It also directed the Interior Department to make decisions about how to supply water around the state, “notwithstanding any contrary state or local laws.” … ” Read more from the New York Times.
As fish populations crash, Trump water grab threatens 4 million Bay-Delta residents’ health
Dan Bacher writes, “If you thought that Trump’s actions against fish, wildlife, the public trust and the people of California in the first four days of the Trump administration couldn’t get any worse, they just did. On Friday, President Trump issued Executive Orders that will have “devastating consequences” for California’s water future, public health, and environmental protections, threatening a federal takeover of California’s right to manage its land and waters, according to a coalition of fishing, Tribal and environmental organizations. “The President’s orders conflate fire prevention needs with water operations in California all based on the myth that water operations for environmental protections had any impact on water infrastructure used in the Los Angeles fires,” the coalition said in a press statement. “These orders prioritize corporate water interests, primarily corporate and hedge-fund farms growing water intensive cash crops in the San Joaquin Valley like almonds, at the expense of Delta communities’ health and economy, Native American Tribes, the California fishing industry. It hastens the destruction of Central Valley rivers and collapse of the San Francisco Bay-Delta ecosystems, favoring corporate agricultural interests over Southern California water users recovering from devastating fires.” … ” Read more from the Daily Kos.
Why Trump’s conditions on LA fire aid put California Republicans in a tough spot
“As swaths of Southern California burn, the state’s Republican members of Congress find themselves facing a dilemma. Blaming the fires on California’s liberal policies, President Donald Trump and GOP congressional leaders have proposed attaching assorted conditions to federal disaster aid— a move that, if taken seriously, threatens to delay recovery efforts. The choice before members of the state’s GOP House delegation is a tricky one: Would they fight for unconditional aid to constituents in their home state but risk incurring the wrath of Trump, who has a reputation for rewarding loyalists and punishing those who cross him? Or would they side with their party’s president but risk criticism from future opponents that they didn’t rush to help a California in need? How they resolve this could not only affect their own careers, but also influence Congress’ ability to carry out Trump’s agenda. The GOP holds a three-seat majority in the House — an advantage so slim that it takes only a few Republicans aligning with the other party to block any measure, including a conditional disaster relief package. … ” Read more from Cal Matters.
From showers to tiny fish to windmills, Trump’s climate policies are driven by fixations
“From crusading against showers he feels don’t sufficiently wash his hair to reversing protections for a small fish he calls “worthless”, Donald Trump’s personal fixations have helped shape his first environmental priorities as US president. While withdrawing the US from the Paris climate accords and declaring an “energy emergency” were among Trump’s most noteworthy executive orders on his first day in office, both were further down a list of priorities put out by the White House than measures to improve “consumer choice in vehicles, shower heads, toilets, washing machines, lightbulbs and dishwashers”. Meanwhile, a separate Trump executive order titled Putting People Over Fish instructs federal agencies to divert more water from northern California to the southern part of the state, which has been ravaged by drought and wildfire. The order blames the “catastrophic halt” of water due to protections for the delta smelt, a small endangered creature that Trump recently called an “essentially worthless fish”. … ” Read more from The Guardian.
SEE ALSO:
- Trump tells US government to override California water policies if necessary, from The Guardian
- Trump seeks to circumvent laws on California’s water amid wildfire response, from NBC News
SoCal fires …
Rain spreads into Southern California
“The prevailing dry pattern and extreme fire conditions in place across Southern California is anticipated to evolve in a positive way throughout this week as a trough advances along the West Coast. AccuWeather meteorologists say that upper-level energy swirling southward through Southern California will usher in beneficial moisture to the region. Rising dew points and measurable rainfall will expand across the parched valleys, while mountain snow can develop in the cooler spots above 3,000-4,000 feet in elevation. While the ongoing weather pattern has indeed been active in terms of wind and wildfires, this recent development in the pattern through the end of the weekend into early this week can bring a reprieve of sorts for residents that have been longing for rain. … ” Read more from AccuWeather.
Heavy rain forces road closures amid mudslide risks in fire zones
“Heavy rain pelted parts of Los Angeles County early Monday, causing a flash flood advisory to be issued over a wide swath of the region after midnight. As workers prepared for their Monday morning commute, they were met with the 5 Freeway through the Grapevine being shut down due to snow and no estimate on when it would reopen. The 101 Freeway in downtown was reopened at 6 a.m. after being closed for flooding. Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu was also closed, along with several other canyon roads including Topanga Canyon. Between one-fifth of an inch and 1 inch of rain has fallen so far across the region since the storm began Saturday night, and an additional one-tenth of an inch to half an inch is expected. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
Bouts of heavy rain spur concern in burn areas; flood advisory issued for much of L.A. County
“Heavy rain pelted parts of Los Angeles County early Monday, causing a flash flood advisory to be issued over a wide swath of the region after midnight. Between one-fifth of an inch and 1 inch of rain has fallen so far across the region since the storm began Saturday night, and an additional one-tenth of an inch to half an inch is expected. Mud, rock and debris flows, which forecasters say could affect roads and homes in and below the burned areas, continue to be a concern through Monday as heavy, localized rainfall is possible. As workers prepared for their Monday morning commute, they were met with the 5 Freeway through the Grapevine being shut down due to snow and no estimate on when it would reopen. The 101 Freeway in downtown was reopened at 6 a.m. after being closed for flooding. … ” Read more from the LA Times.
L.A. fire areas finally get rain — but also flooding, fears of mudslides
“After a significant downpour that ended an extended dry spell — and with more rain anticipated — Los Angeles County residents were urged Sunday to prepare for potential flooding, mudslides and debris runoff in and around the footprints of the recent wildfires. As the rain arrived, flood advisories were in effect Sunday afternoon for parts of Los Angeles County, including the eastern burn area of the Franklin Fire and the burn scars of the Palisades, Hurst and Sunset fires. The National Weather Service said minor debris flows and minor flooding in low-lying areas with poor drainage systems were possible impacts. Lightning and small hail were reported in some areas, and the advisories indicated some flooding had started to occur. The advisories came after a flood watch — which signaled flooding was possible — took effect at 10 a.m. Sunday and was expected to last until 4 p.m. Monday for the charred areas of the Eaton and Palisades fires, as well as the Franklin, Hughes and Bridge fires. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Altadena preps for the potential of heavy rain and mudslides, as other concerns persist
“Heavy rain is possible for much of the L.A. region starting Sunday afternoon and lasting until Monday, bringing threats of mudslides to recent burn areas, particularly around the Eaton Fire. The forecasted rains are much needed after what is so far the driest winter on record. But combining water with dirt and debris makes burn scars vulnerable to landslides. After the Bobcat Fire tore through the San Gabriels in 2020, huge swaths of treeless hillside were swept away during winter storms. If the forecast holds, Altadena could experience something similar. On Sunday morning, Altadena residents were taking advantage of free sandbags available to prepare for the rain. … ” Read more from the LAist.
How does rain impact wildfire risk in Southern California right now
“San Diego’s dry conditions greatly increased the risk for wildfires. “We’ve been experiencing extreme fire behavior throughout Southern California as many have seen,” said Rob Johnson, public information officer for CAL Fire. He say the dry brush is still at a critically low moisture level. Before Sunday’s rain, the National Weather Service said this year was San Diego’s driest start to the water year. Since Oct. 1 San Diego has only had 0.14 inches of rain. “We’re hoping for any rainfall that continues so that the plants and brush throughout the county can absorb that moisture. That’s going to help us with the fire danger in the future,” he said. Last week fires ignited around San Diego County. There was a fire in Poway on Monday, another wildfire near fashion valley mall Tuesday, one in Rancho Bernardo Wednesday and a more than 6,000 acre brush fire spread on Thursday near the border. … ” Read more from Channel 10.
Cal OES mobilizes hundreds of personnel for massive watershed protection mission in areas around Los Angeles fires
“California’s largest watershed protection mission in the hurricane-force firestorm’s burn scars is underway, with more than 400 personnel mobilized through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). Ash and debris from structures burned in wildfires contain toxic materials, making watershed protection a critical effort to prevent contamination of streams and waterways. Local agencies, environmental experts, engineers, and emergency management teams work together to develop mitigation plans tailored to the terrain, burn severity, and proximity to water sources. Cal OES is partnering with Cal Fire, California Conservation Corps (CCC), California Department of Water Resources (CDWR), Caltrans and California Department of Conservation Geological Survey, to protect waterways from toxic runoff. … ” Read more from Cal OES.
Wildfires are revealing the limits of our hydrant systems
“As firefighters scrambled to extinguish the wildfires consuming neighborhoods across Los Angeles County this month, they often found that the hydrants outside the burning houses were not much help. It was hardly the first time in recent years that a wildfire had encroached on an American neighborhood, and hardly the first time that hydrants were unable to make a serious dent in stopping an unfolding disaster. In Colorado, Hawaii and other parts of California, hydrants have provided minimal relief as home after home has burned. A combination of extreme conditions, poor planning and delayed evacuations contributed to the widespread devastation around Los Angeles. There were also specific limitations on the region’s network of fire hydrants, including a large reservoir that was offline for maintenance. But in most cases, experts say, a working hydrant system would be inadequate for fighting a large-scale wildfire. … ” Read more from the New York Times.
Ash from California wildfires could affect ocean life — and seafood
“When the recent wildfires tore through Los Angeles, destroying thousands of homes and businesses, they also sent plumes of smoke out over the ocean. NOAA satellite images show smoke and ash traveling as far as 100 miles offshore. Now, there are questions about what that toxic material may do to the ecosystem and, eventually, the food we get from the ocean. On the day the fires broke out, a group of scientists from San Diego happened to be off the coast of L.A. taking water samples. They described the ash falling onto the water like snow. The group was part of the California Cooperative Fisheries Investigations, also known as Cal-COFI. For the past 75 years, the project has involved taking regular water and plankton samples off California’s coast. When the crew saw the ash, they immediately started collecting samples. … ” Read more from NBC 7.
An atmospheric pattern over the Pacific influences Western U.S. wildfire risk
“Wildfires pose an increasing threat to communities, infrastructure, health, air quality, and ecosystems in the western United States. Climatic factors including precipitation, temperature, and humidity contribute to the likelihood and severity of wildfires, meaning that interannual variability in climate patterns can influence seasonal fire risk. Liu et al. [2024] identify a climatic oscillation, the West Pacific pattern, that explains up to one-third of interannual variability in western U.S. wildfires during the autumn season since 2000. … ” Read more from EOS.
In other California water news today …
This city wants to expand. Critics worry it’s how California Forever will take root
“California Forever, the new Solano County city proposed by a group of Silicon Valley tycoons, was technically not on the agenda at the packed Suisun City council meeting on Tuesday night. But the controversial billionaire-backed plan was on the top of everybody’s mind. After a heated three-hour hearing, Suisun City’s City Council voted 4-1 to give City Manager Bret Prebula the green light to explore whether the 4.2-square-mile, cash-strapped city could expand its tax base by annexing unincorporated land to the west or east of the current municipal borders. While there is just a sliver of land available to the west because most of it is undevelopable marshland, the property to the east is owned by California Forever, which is hoping to build a transit-oriented city of 400,000 in east Solano County. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Senator Anna M. Caballero introduces SB 72, California Water for All
“Senator Anna M. Caballero (D-Merced) introduced SB 72, California Water for All, to modernize the California Water Plan to drought proof California and establish long-term water supply targets. This legislation addresses the state’s intensifying climate challenges and ensures high-quality water for urban, agricultural and environmental needs.“A reliable and sustainable water supply is critical to California’s economy and to the quality of life for all Californians. While intermittent storms can give California a reprieve; prolonged droughts, aging infrastructure, more frequent and severe wildfires, population and economic growth, antiquated state policies and climate change impacts present unique challenges that threaten the survival of entire communities and sectors of the economy. Despite decades of work to improve California’s water system, our infrastructure remains woefully inadequate to meet present and future needs. SB 72 would establish reasonable water supply targets to ensure the state adequately plans for water for all uses, including our urban areas, agriculture and the environment, by modernizing the California Water Plan for a 21st century climate. SB 72 would require that state agencies develop a plan to achieve set targets, in consultation with local water agencies, wastewater service providers and other stakeholders. This bill is an important and timely part of a comprehensive, long-term water supply solution that will transform water management for generations to come.” –Senator Anna M. Caballero (D-Merced) … ” Read more from Morning Ag Clips.
In commentary today …
Plastic turf carries high cost for human health and the planet
Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee and Dr. Cindy Russell, co-chair of the Environmental Health Committee of the Santa Clara County Medical Association, write, “For years, plastic turf was seen as an environmentally friendly and water-saving alternative to natural grass during California’s persistent drought. But new information from studies about its harmful effects has led countries, states, cities and counties to reconsider its use and weigh its risks against the benefits. The long-term detrimental effects of plastic turf in public areas, as opposed to natural grass, can have crippling effects on both public health and the environment. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider on Tuesday an ordinance prohibiting new installations of plastic artificial turf on county property. This measure, brought forward by us and supported by numerous community organizations and advocates, aims to protect the health and safety of the environment and community, particularly children. These organizations and advocates include the Santa Clara County Medical Association (SCCMA), Green Foothills, Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter, numerous local students, a coalition of concerned parents and more. … ” Read more from the San Jose Mercury News.
In regional water news and commentary today …
NORTH COAST
Restoring the Klamath: A river reborn
“After the largest dam removal in history, the Klamath River – at a newly uninterrupted 257 miles in length – now holds the title for the longest undammed river in California. Iron Gate Dam, located in Siskiyou County, California was the last of four dams on the Klamath River to be demolished, marking a monumental moment for Tribes with ties to the land surrounding the river. While the Klamath made headlines when the Copco #2 dam was removed in summer 2023, the full story began long before. The first half of the 20th century saw a boom in infrastructure, including thousands of large dams that were built across California to meet the resource needs of an ever-expanding population. Over a 46-year period, from 1918 to 1964, the four lower Klamath hydroelectric dams were constructed. Less than 20 years later, sacred native salmonids, central to many of the river’s Tribal nations, were listed as endangered. Tribes, including the Yurok, Karuk, Hoopa and others, rely on these fish for cultural purposes and as a primary food source through the cold winter months. Once a vibrant river that boasted abundant salmon populations, and the third largest salmon producer on the West Coast, the dammed Klamath was now home to salmon that struggled for survival. … ” Read more from FishBio.
SACRAMENTO VALLEY
Anticipating increases in flood risk for Yolo County and its native fishes
Dr Peter Moyle writes, “Close relatives of mine live in Asheville, North Carolina. Retired professors, they chose to move there in part because of its pleasant climate. This quiet community was hit hard by Hurricane Helene, on September 28, 2024. The path the hurricane took through Ashville was unprecedented and heavy rains and flooding resulted in widespread damage and destruction to homes, buildings, roads, and other infrastructure. They watched the tiny ephemeral creek below their house become a raging torrent that moved boulders and trees. They lost electricity and internet for a couple of weeks and they only just had their tap water restored. There is little doubt that the severity and unexpected pathway of the hurricane were the result of climate change, starting with the warming of the Atlantic Ocean. More rogue hurricanes can be expected. Such major events are increasingly likely as the planet warms (Palmer 2024). I live in Davis, California, and I sometimes wonder if we Davisites are too complacent in recognizing that a similar or even bigger flood event might happen to us. … ” Read more from the California Water Blog.
San Francisco Bay island sold at auction for $3.8 million to John Muir Land Trust
“A long-running legal dispute over the fate of a small island in San Francisco Bay ended Wednesday when Point Buckler Island was sold at auction to the John Muir Land Trust, a nonprofit conservation organization. The land trust used a court-awarded credit worth about $3.8 million to purchase the 29-acre private island on a 50-acre parcel that is part of Solano County and is situated in a tidal marsh separating Suisun Bay and Grizzly Bay. It’s a critical habitat and corridor for delta smelt, Chinook salmon and other species. It was the subject of a prolonged legal back-and-forth between its former owner, John Sweeney, and county, state and federal regulators that began in 2016 when the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board ordered Sweeney to remove unpermitted infrastructure he built on the island, including about a mile of levies that he had restored. … ” Read more from Silicon Valley.
BAY AREA
Bay Area weather: How cold will it get this week, and when will storms return?
“The final week of January is shaping up to mirror how the rest of the month unfolded across the Bay Area: dry. No rain is in the forecast until at least Friday, which means January is almost guaranteed to finish as one of the driest on record in much of the Bay Area. Southern California is welcoming the precipitation, however, as a low-pressure system spins near Los Angeles and pushes rain and mountain snow toward coastal areas. A risk of debris flows near the fresh burn scars lingers through Monday as scattered thunderstorms are expected to continue. The Bay Area remains on the wrong side of this storm’s circulation for precipitation. Dry air wrapping around the northern side of the storm will result in clear skies. … ” Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Pleasanton: What is our best option for water in dry years?
“Palo Alto recently wrapped up a multi-year “One Water Plan” effort to determine our best option for water in dry years. This became a priority when our current water supplier SFPUC warned of possible shortages. (1) So Palo Alto Utilities staff worked with consultant Carollo Engineers to evaluate and rank a wide variety of proposals for augmenting our water supply during periods of severe drought. They concluded that our best option is to conserve more water and then to treat and consume our wastewater. This conclusion holds pretty much regardless of how different aspects of the various solutions (e.g., cost and reliability) are weighed. … ” Read more from Pleasanton Weekly.
CENTRAL COAST
Farmers, homeowners could be charged to pump water from Paso Robles basin. How much?
“From farmers irrigating their crops to families washing their dishes — everyone pumping directly from the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin may soon need to pay for their water. The Paso Basin Cooperative Committee got a first look at potential water rates for groundwater users at its meeting on Wednesday. If approved, these fees will be the first time ever that farmers are directly charged to pump water from the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin. … ” Read more from the San Luis Obispo Tribune.
Along the Colorado River …
Colorado water experts push for agreement on managing the Colorado River’s future
“It’s time for an agreement in the Colorado River Basin, Colorado water and climate experts say. Colorado River officials are at odds over how to store and release water in the basin’s reservoirs when the current rules lapse in 2026. Publicly, state negotiators stick close to their original, competing proposals, released early in 2024. Colorado experts watching the process understand the difficulty — it’s painful to talk about cutting water use — but time is of the essence. “I have no idea what’s going to get them to agreement,” said Jennifer Pitt, the Colorado River program director for the National Audubon Society. “To me, the biggest pressure seems like time is running out.” … ” Read more from the Colorado Sun.
$338 million for Colorado River faces uncertain future under Trump
“Payments to help Western states respond to drought are on pause after an order from President Donald Trump. A pool of $388.3 million from the Inflation Reduction Act had already been allocated to fund water conservation projects by the Biden administration, and its future now hangs in the balance. The Colorado River supplies water for about 40 million people from Wyoming to Mexico, but its stretched thin. Climate change is cutting into supplies, and the cities and farms that depend on it are struggling to cut back on demand. Federal funding has been a pivotal part of Western states’ response to that reality, with billions of dollars from the Biden administration helping pay for a wide variety of programs – incentivizing farmers to use less water on their crops, improving wildlife habitat and much more. … ” Read more from KJZZ.
Forecasters predict low flows into Colorado River this winter, spring
“This winter and spring are shaping up to be bad times for the Colorado River, with a federal forecast predicting flows into Lake Powell at barely three-fourths of normal. While snowpack has been at or above normal since Jan. 1 in crucial areas of the river’s Upper Basin states of Colorado and Utah, it’s held at well below normal in southern Utah and Colorado and across Arizona. Snowpack is probably the most crucial element for river flows as the melting snows run off into the river gradually, allowing continuous buildup of spring and summer runoff into the river from the mountains and its tributaries. Overall precipitation that includes rainfall, however, has been poor above Lake Powell since Jan. 1. It dropped from 96% of normal from October through December 2024 to 69% of normal from Jan. 1-15, federal records show. … ” Read more from the Arizona Daily Star.
Utah’s swapping crops for houses. Here’s what that means for water use and agriculture.
“Farms are quickly becoming mementos of a different time in Moab. Over the four decades Gary Wilson has grown alfalfa in this touristy corner of southeast Utah, his fields have increasingly become islands in a sea of new development. “Agriculture is getting a little thinner in these counties, that’s for sure. I don’t know that it’s any different in St. George or Salt Lake or Orem,” he said. “All seems like it’s the same as here.” Utah’s growing fast, and that has a big domino effect on the state’s housing development, water consumption and agriculture. One of Wilson’s fields on Moab’s south side illustrates this first domino to fall. After kicking through knee-high green stems, he arrived at the fenceline and pointed next door. A neighboring field that he previously leased and farmed has transformed into a subdivision with around two dozen modern southwest-style homes. One of the houses that sold in 2024 was listed for $1.25 million. … ” Read more from the Salt Lake Tribune.
In national water news today …
How does raw water compare to tap water? A microbiologist explains why the risks outweigh the benefits
“Water that comes straight from natural sources, dubbed “raw water,” is gaining popularity. Raw water advocates reject public water supplies, including tap water, because they don’t enjoy the taste or believe it’s unsafe and depleted of vital minerals. On the surface, raw water might seem alluring – the natural surroundings may look beautiful, and the water may look clean and taste refreshing. But unlike tap or commercially bottled water, raw water is not evaluated for safety. This leaves the people who drink it vulnerable to infectious microbes or potentially other toxic contaminants. I’m a microbiology researcher studying infectious diseases. From a public health perspective, clarifying misconceptions about tap water and the health hazards of raw water can protect consumers and curtail the spread of infectious diseases. … ” Read more from The Conversation.
In policy reversal, Trump eliminates help for Black and Latino communities hit harder by pollution
“For four years, the Environmental Protection Agency made environmental justice one of its biggest priorities, working to improve health conditions in heavily-polluted communities often made up largely of Black, Latino and low-income Americans. Now that short-lived era is over. President Donald Trump in his first week eliminated a team of White House advisors whose job it was to ensure the entire federal government helped communities located near heavy industry, ports and roadways. Trump eliminated the “Justice40” initiative the Biden administraton had created. It required 40% of the benefits from certain environmental programs go to hard-hit communities. When the government reviews new facilities now, experts say officials are likely to ignore how any pollution they create may exacerbate what communities already experience. Trump’s actions will likely halt funds from Biden administration’s signature climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act, for climate programs and environmental justice. … ” Read more from the Associated Press.
