Trump Administration Intervenes in California Dam Removal Plans

Agriculture Secretary Brook Rollins cautioned California Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday that the Trump administration is attempting to save several dams scheduled for demolition in the state.

Last year, Newsom endorsed a speedy plan to remove two dams on the Eel River in Mendocino County, specifically Scott and Cape Horn dams, to aid in restoring the salmon population. “I won another three years in office, and I want to put it all there,” he mentioned.

This initiative has the backing of environmental advocates and Native American tribes. However, the dams play a crucial role by supplying water to local farms and communities, alongside their hydroelectric power functions. While the utility company claims that older hydroelectric plants are no longer effective, local residents have expressed struggles in maintaining their livelihoods without the water provided by the dam. Efforts to explore alternative water sources are underway but are often costly, with some farmers unable to afford deep wells.

On X, Rollins relayed her concerns about the situation:

"Work continues to protect farmers from weaponized, often radical governments," Rollins stated, referencing both the Newsom administration and the prior Biden administration. After consulting with "farmers, ranchers, and community leaders" in Potter Valley, she mobilized various government departments to seek a "real solution to ensure Potter Valley water supply."

She emphasized that Newsom “puts fish on people, destroys old farms of the century, leaving families vulnerable to more droughts and wildfires.”

“Is this really America?” she questioned.

In response, Newsom’s office indicated that the decision regarding the dam’s fate lay with the utility company Pacific Gas & Electric, despite the Governor’s earlier enthusiastic support for the removal. “Once you learn how Google works, you should reach out to PG&E,” a spokesperson for Newsom remarked.