For Immediate Release: January 31, 2025
Contacts: Scott Artis, Golden State Salmon Association, 925-550-9208, scott@goldenstatesalmon.org
Gov Newsom’s Executive Order Today to “Use Every Last Drop” of Water is a Salmon Death Sentence
If you are writing about Governor Newsom’s quote and executive order issued today regarding the capture and storage of water from storms hitting California, please consider the below statement from Golden State Salmon Association.
“Governor Newsom’s executive order to ‘use every last drop’ is a death sentence for California’s already suffering salmon. On top of the recent federal water grab, Newsom’s plan to divert even more water for big agriculture while ignoring our rivers pushes salmon and fishing families closer to extinction – killing jobs, ecosystems, and an entire way of life. A real ‘rainy day fund’ protects all Californians—including the ones that fish for a living or wildlife that swim in our rivers—not just corporate interests.”
Scott Artis, executive director of Golden State Salmon Association
Background
In anticipation of a multi-day, significant atmospheric river in Northern California, Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an executive order that would make it easier to divert and store excess water from incoming winter storms. The Governor signed the order after he received a briefing on the latest forecast for the storm.
The executive order also directs the Department of Water Resources and other state agencies to take action to maximize diversion of those excess flows to boost the state’s water storage in Northern California, including storage in San Luis Reservoir south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
“It is more important than ever that we maximize every opportunity to recharge our groundwater supplies. As we anticipate rain and snow in Northern California, we are also preparing to use every last drop to boost our water supply for communities and farms throughout the state. By storing these stormwaters, we are creating a literal rainy day fund to help us recover from a multi-year drought and prepare for our hotter, drier future.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
Photo Credit: San Luis Reservoir Aerial by Dicklyon