CALIFORNIA—On Friday, January 24, President Donald J. Trump, gave the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authority to override California state water
restriction laws instituted by California Governor, Gavin Newsom to provide relief to
Californians suffering from the aftermath of wildfires in Los Angeles County.
After touring the devastation caused by wildfires and poor water management in southern
California, President Trump issued an Executive Order on January 24th establishing the
Federal Management Agency Review Council.
The council will consist of 20 members who will serve without compensation for one year. The following information along with the full text of the Executive order may be
found on the White House webpage.
“For their work on the Council, but may receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu
of subsistence, as authorized by law for persons serving intermittently in the government
service (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707).
Insofar as the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), may apply to
the Council, any functions of the President under that Act, except that of reporting to the
Congress shall be performed by the Secretary of Homeland Security, in-accordance-with, guidelines and procedures established by the Administrator of General Services.”
Trump publicly criticized Governor Gavin Newsom’s tactics reminding the American people
that Newsom voted to protect “a little fish over people.” The fish are a small bait fish known
as, “smelt.”
Reports indicate that if the snow-capped areas in high elevations were permitted to melt
freely down onto the lands below, the ground would not have been as arid and caught fire
as easily. Californians who chose to remain nameless told Canyon News about the water restrictions they lived with.
On December 3, one reader wrote in saying, “Gavin Newsom restricts our water therefore
things dry up because he only allows us to water two times a week.”
Another reader wrote in sharing their views on the protection of smelt.
“Los Angeles gets fined if they water their lawn meanwhile there is a big lake that is drained to save a fish called smelt. We can water the lawn two times a week keeping landscaping fire ready.”
According to documentation on the Governor’s webpage, Newsom signed an Executive Order in February 2023 allowing the State Water Project to conserve 237,000 acre-feet of water while providing protections for Delta Smelt.
Governor Newsom’s Executive Orders Regarding flood waters may be found here.
