FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2025
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Alexandra Nagy, alexandra@sunstonestrategies.org
Stockton, Calif. – On his first day back in office, President Trump issued a memorandum to the
Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of the Interior directing federal agencies to undermine
essential environmental protections for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. By reviving
discredited policies from his first administration, the President is once again choosing to ignore
science and attack California’s communities and ecosystems for political gain.
The directive to “put people over fish,” which mirrors corporate agribusiness rhetoric in the San
Joaquin Valley, grossly misrepresents the reality of California’s water system and the needs of
its residents. Contrary to the President’s statement, water diverted from the Delta does not flow
“wastefully into the Pacific Ocean.” Instead, it sustains the largest estuary on the West Coast—a
vital resource for California’s economy, recreational and commercial fishing industries, Delta
farmers, local businesses and millions of residents who depend on clean, safe water. The
directive also disregards the cultural and economic importance of the Sacramento River, its
tributaries, the Bay-Delta to Delta communities, and California Indian tribes.
President Trump’s claims that Delta water protections cause water shortages and exacerbate
wildfires are false. Experts agree that Southern California’s water challenges stem from climate-
driven drought and infrastructure constraints—not protections for fish or the Delta. This
misinformation ignores that Los Angeles reservoirs are currently full and Delta water sustains
essential ecosystems and local economies.
Delta communities have fought for years to restore this vital estuary, which supports tens-of-
thousands of jobs and a rich cultural heritage. This memorandum undermines those efforts,
prioritizing corporate interests at the expense of sustainable water management and equitable
solutions. These policies, if enacted, will provide water flows for the Delta Conveyance Project,
eradicate seven Delta fish species in the near term, and worsen toxic algae in the Delta.
Restore the Delta calls on state leaders to reject this reckless policy and to advocate for a water
future that protects environmental health for all Californians throughout the state, not just a
powerful few.
We remain steadfast in defending the Delta, its communities, and the resources that sustain
California’s future.
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The health of the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary and Delta communities remains our top priority for 2025.
Your tax-deductible gift will help us achieve our goals for next year and beyond.
Support our organization today or mail a check to 2616 Pacific Ave #4296, Stockton, CA 95204.