Kim Delfino, California program director, issued this statement on Governor Newsom's announcement to sue the Trump administration over the recently released biological opinions:
“We applaud Governor Newsom for his decision to challenge the Trump administration’s flawed and illegal biological opinions. How the federal government manages the Central Valley Project has enormous impacts on the long-term health of the Bay Delta ecosystem and the species and communities that depend on it.
“It is imperative that these biological opinions are challenged to ensure that stronger protections are put in place if there is any hope of reversing the current decline in the Bay Delta system. It is also imperative that the State Water Project is operated with science-based protections for fish, wildlife and water quality.
“Today, the Governor Newsom showed his willingness to defend against federal efforts to undermine environmental protections in the Bay Delta as part of his overall water agenda. Moving forward, he must ensure that the State Water Project and other water users operate consistently with state law and do what is necessary for the recovery of the Delta and its fishery.”
For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.
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