[env-trinity] Fishing and Tribal Groups Slam Trump Administration Actions on Water

[Regina Chichizola]

In response to Trump a
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/2/18/1920241/-Fishing-and-Tribal-Groups-Slam-Trump-Administration-Actions-on-Water?fbclid=IwAR3KbpoIfmeja_veUh6P2LSNUCYTX_cd_BKN3RJmdvvKBUd_h79-pw6JFesIn
response to Trump administration plans to sign a revised biological opinion
to maximize water deliveries to corporate agribusiness as Trump and
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt visit California today and tomorrow,
 Noah Oppenheim, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of
Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA), and Morning Star Gali, member of the Pit
River Tribe and Tribal Water Organizer for Save California Salmon, issued
the following statements:

“The Federal Government has a tribal trust responsibility to protect
salmon, but instead of honoring Tribes, Trump is doubling down on diverting
the rivers we rely on,” said Morning Star Gali. “Tribes have senior water
and fishing rights, and clean water and salmon are the center of our
cultures, health and way of life. The Trump Administration’s salmon
extinction plan would destroy our way of life.”

Gali added, “Governor Newsom promised to fight the Trump water grab and to
honor California’s Tribes. Instead he is siding with the Trump
Administration on behalf of California’s wealthiest water users. It's time
for Governor Newsom to walk his talk and fight for California’s Tribes, the
environment, and for all Californians, not just his political donors.”

Gavin Newsom received a total of $755,198 in donations from agribusiness in
2018, based on the latest data from www.followthemoney.org. That figure
includes $579,998 in the agriculture donations category, combined with
another $116,800 from Beverly Hills agribusiness tycoons Stewart and Lynda
Resnick, owners of the Wonderful Company and the largest orchard fruit
growers in the world, and $58,400 from E.J. Gallo.

The President’s actions this week come at a time when the state of
California must choose which path to take on water policy, according to the
PCFFA and Save California Salmon.

“Months ago, Governor Newsom pledged to fight against the federal plan to
suck our rivers dry and irrigate poison-laced deserts in the San Joaquin
Valley,” said Noah Oppenheim, executive director of PCFFA. “Today, the
Governor and his staff talk about cutting green tape, the very legal and
procedural protections that keep rivers, salmon, and fishing jobs alive.
The Governor must not allow his agencies to lock arms with the Trump
Administration and join the race to the bottom on water policy.”

Today Congressman Devin Nunes, in a water forum in Tulare, claimed, "Our
economy depends on the ability to move water from the state’s northern
reaches to the south via the Central Valley Project and the State Water
Project. This infrastructure serves more than three million acres of
farmland and over 25 million people. However, due to a lack of political
leadership, the state is not making the investments needed to keep these
projects fully operational."

*About PCFFA*

*The Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations is the largest
commercial fishermen’s organization on the West Coast, representing 17
local and regional associations from Santa Barbara to Southeast Alaska. As
a major commercial fishing industry trade association, PCFFA represents the
interests of commercial fishing families who make their living harvesting
and delivering high-quality seafood to America’s tables. *

*About Save California Salmon*

*Save California Salmon is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring
river flows, salmon habitat, dam removal, and improvement of water quality
throughout Northern California. SCS dedicated to elevating Tribal voices in
water and natural resource policy issues. The organization is dedicated to
fighting new threats to California rivers wherever they emerge.*
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