Schiff Questions Changes to Ohio River Flows
California Senator Adam Schiff sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other Trump administration officials expressing concerns about alterations made to river flows in Ohio. He also noted worries regarding actions taken to assist JD Vance and his family with their recreational kayaking.
In his correspondence, Schiff requested more details from Army Deputy Secretaries Hegseth, Adam Tail, and U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran about the decision to adjust the runoff from Lake Caesar Creek. This change was made to help secure safe conditions for Vance’s family during their kayaking trips, particularly around his 41st birthday celebration on their boat.
Reportedly, the intention behind this runoff modification was to ensure safety for Vance’s security team while also improving conditions for kayaking. Schiff labeled this as an inappropriate use of public resources by the Trump administration.
The federal agency stated that the river’s level was increased for “safe navigation,” specifically to ensure security for Vance’s family while they enjoyed their trip.
Interestingly, sources informed The Hill that public safety officials faced difficulties while conducting a joint scouting mission prior to Vance’s outing, highlighting potential issues with navigation during such operations.
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed that Vance was not informed about the decision to alter the lake runoff.
In his letter, Schiff mentioned that while there can be justifications for raising water levels for emergency responder training, doing so solely for the benefit of one individual and their family is problematic.
He pointed out that using public water resources to serve the Vice President’s family is particularly troubling, especially when the administration has cut funds for federal agencies.
Schiff is seeking clarification from the Defense Agency and Secret Service regarding the necessity of raising Caesar Creek’s water levels by two feet for Vance’s activities. He also wants an explanation of the original rationale behind the water release.
Moreover, he questioned if the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers documented their decision-making and whether any assessments were made regarding the environmental impact on upstream or downstream resources.
Additionally, he requested confirmation that Vance was kept in the dark about these changes and asked for explanations on why that was the case.
In a previous incident, he criticized President Trump for instructing the Army Corps of Engineers to release 2.2 billion gallons of water amid wildfires in Los Angeles, arguing this action endangered Central Valley farms during a critical irrigation period.
He urged the Engineers to commit to avoiding future personal requests that fall beyond their designated responsibilities.
A spokesperson from the Secret Service confirmed receipt of Schiff’s letter and stated that they would respond through the appropriate channels.
Schiff has also reached out to the Department of Defense and the Army Corps of Engineers for comments on this matter.
