Stockton, CA — A group of fishing and environmental organizations issued a statement today in light of reports that Governor Gavin Newsom will meet with President Donald Trump and other Republican leaders on February 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The discussions will revolve around the recent fires in Los Angeles and how California manages its water.
The coalition is urging the Governor to advocate strongly for California’s people and environment during these talks.
Some key figures endorsing the statement include Scott Artis from the Golden State Salmon Association, Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla from Restore the Delta, and Gary Bobker from Friends of the River, among others.
Their message emphasizes the importance of protecting California’s water management. They express concern that the federal government’s recent actions aim to undermine California’s ability to govern its water resources effectively. The groups argue that linking federal disaster relief to changes in water policy could harm local communities, threaten clean water supply, and undermine cultural and ecological resources across the state.
They highlight that the focus should be on helping Los Angeles residents recover from the devastating effects of the fires, without tying such support to unrelated and potentially harmful policy shifts. They warn that such federal measures could endanger California’s watershed communities and impact vital fisheries that many coastal areas rely on.
The groups stress their commitment to defend California’s laws and environment on behalf of their millions of supporters. They call on Governor Newsom to stand firm and protect the interests of all Californians.
According to a recent advisory from the Governor’s Office, Governor Newsom has left the state, but details about his destination and meetings were not disclosed. Newsweek also reported that Newsom’s trip is linked to addressing the aftermath of the destructive wildfires in Southern California, while Trump has hinted at investigating the state’s high-speed rail project.
The Governor’s Office confirmed that the trip aims to secure essential disaster aid for Los Angeles fire survivors and to support impacted families as they rebuild their lives.
