In the two weeks following President Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025, significant developments have emerged in U.S. water policy, particularly concerning California's water management and the appointment of new leadership at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Executive actions on California water management
On January 20, President Trump issued a Memorandum titled "Putting People Over Fish: Stopping Radical Environmentalism to Provide Water to Southern California", with instructions to prioritize rerouting more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to Southern California, particularly to support agricultural and urban demands. The memo criticized environmental regulations that have historically limited water deliveries to protect endangered species such as the Delta smelt, arguing that these policies have led to unnecessary restrictions on water supplies for human use.
Trump’s decision came amid California’s long-standing and complex water crisis, where competing interests — including farmers, urban communities, conservationists, and tribal nations — have fought over the allocation of the state’s scarce water resources. The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is a crucial lifeline, supplying water to roughly 30 million people and irrigating 6 million acres of farmland, all while supporting fragile ecosystems. Water policy experts warn that rolling back environmental protections could derail years of intricate negotiations that sought to balance economic needs with conservation efforts. Moreover, it could have far-reaching consequences. For instance, diverting more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta will push saltwater farther upstream, threatening drinking water supplies and farmland irrigation as rising salinity renders freshwater unusable.
Days later, on January 24, Trump signed an Executive Order titled "Emergency Measures to Provide Water Resources in California and Improve Disaster Response in Certain Areas." The order justified increased water diversions partly as a response to the recent devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, stating that a more reliable water supply was needed for firefighting efforts. However, experts have refuted claims that California’s water policies contributed to the wildfires, pointing out that Los Angeles sources most of its water from Owens Valley and the Colorado River, not the Delta, and regional reservoirs in Southern California are at record-high levels. Firefighters faced water shortages due to pressure limitations in municipal water systems, not a lack of available water.
Critics argue that Trump’s directives oversimplify California’s intricate water challenges. Consistent with the direction of Trump’s Executive Order, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released 1.6 billion gallons of water from reservoirs in the Central Valley on January 31, a move experts say was politically driven rather than strategically beneficial. Water from Terminus Dam at Lake Kaweah and Schafer Dam at Lake Success was discharged following Trump’s executive order to “maximize” water supplies in the state. However, experts and local officials noted that this release would not reach Southern California and would provide little benefit to farmers, who need water later in the year during peak irrigation months. The abrupt decision also raised concerns over flood risks and infrastructure damage, with Kings County Supervisor Robert Thayer stating that such releases were typically only seen during major floods. Trump, however, claimed on social media that the action was a “long-fought Victory” and reiterated his assertion that more water could have prevented the Los Angeles wildfires. Water managers expressed alarm over the approach, warning that overriding established water policies in this manner could destabilize California’s already fragile water system.
Appointment of Lee Zeldin as EPA Administrator
Former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin was confirmed as the 17th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency by the U.S. Senate on January 29, with a 56-42 vote. Zeldin, a Republican and ally of President Trump, is expected to lead efforts to roll back environmental regulations implemented during the previous administration. His confirmation saw support from all Republican senators and three Democrats.
Upon being sworn in, Administrator Zeldin stated, "Under President Trump’s leadership, we will take great strides to defend every American’s access to clean air, clean water, and clean land. We will maintain and expand the gold standard of environmental stewardship and conservation that President Trump set forth in his first administration while also prioritizing economic prosperity."
During his nomination hearing on January 16, 2025, Lee Zeldin faced extensive questioning from the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works regarding key water policy issues, including PFAS contamination, lead service line replacements, and water infrastructure funding. Zeldin, who co-founded the PFAS Task Force, acknowledged the widespread impact of these harmful chemicals and committed to working with states to address contamination. When asked about the designation PFAS as hazardous substances under CERCLA, he expressed concern about the financial burden on utilities and consumers: “The passive-receiver issue is something where it could get passed down to the consumer where they end up paying for the cleanup costs in a way that we need to be cognizant of at the EPA.”
Regarding lead service line replacements, Zeldin assured lawmakers that, if confirmed, he would not cut existing funding, emphasizing that budgetary decisions ultimately lie with Congress. He also referred to the Congress’ responsibilities when asked about funding for State Revolving Funds (SRFs), vowing to uphold congressional intent in managing EPA funding.
Looking ahead
The recent executive actions and leadership changes signal a shift in U.S. water policy towards prioritizing human use and economic considerations, particularly in regions like California facing water scarcity. As the new EPA administration under Lee Zeldin begins its tenure, stakeholders across water dependent sectors will closely monitor how these policies unfold and their implications for water resource management nationwide.