The Shasta Dam, located near Mount Shasta in California, may see an increase in height under President Donald Trump’s administration. This proposal aims to provide more water to Central Valley farmers but poses significant environmental and cultural risks. The dam, built in the 1940s, has already disrupted the natural habitat of the Chinook salmon, a fish held sacred by the Winnemem Wintu tribe. “The winter run was the main sustenance source for the Winnemem Wintu throughout history,” said tribal member Gary Mulcahy, highlighting the cultural importance of the salmon.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s plan to raise the dam by over 18 feet has gained traction among Republican lawmakers. The project would increase California’s largest reservoir’s capacity, delivering more water to farmers. Despite the federal government’s lack of public effort to raise the dam, President Trump has signed executive orders to bypass environmental regulations, aiming to deliver more water to California growers.
CalMatters reports that the House Natural Resources Committee’s budget reconciliation bill includes $2 billion for water storage facilities, a move seen as facilitating the Shasta Dam project. However, U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a Republican, stated that the funding is not for any specific project.
The project faces opposition from environmentalists and state officials, who argue it could violate the state’s Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and harm the Sacramento River ecosystem. The Winnemem Wintu tribe has been working with state and federal agencies to reintroduce the endangered Chinook salmon to the McCloud River. The tribe fears the dam’s enlargement will further damage their cultural sites and disrupt salmon habitats.
The project’s future remains uncertain, as it requires numerous state and federal permits and is likely to face legal challenges. Despite these hurdles, the Trump administration’s executive orders signal a potential path forward for the contentious project.
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