President Trump is trying to speed up the approval process for a proposal to send more water to Central Valley farmers, something he promised to do during his 2016 campaign. A KQED investigation found that the president is pushing for a recommendation by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to be approved in 135 days, the minimum time required by federal law, and for the approval process to forego a public comment component. Environmentalists say that timeframe and insufficient staffing would make accurate and adequate scientific research impossible. Many also see the influence of acting interior secretary David Bernhardt, a former lawyer for the Fresno-based Westlands Water District, the largest agricultural water agency in the country. Forum brings you the story and takes your questions.
Environmentalists Accuse Trump of Trying to Shortcut Science in Decisions Regarding California's Water Supply
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The California Aqueduct on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley north of Los Banos. March 2015. (Dan Brekke/KQED)
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