Court upholds California rules to protect fish, but Newsom wants a lenient Delta approach

A Sacramento judge upheld a decision by California’s water regulator to cut back agricultural and municipal water use from the San Joaquin River. The decision could lend support for future regulations in the rest of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta system.

It comes amid declining fish populations and increasing pressure on water supply due to climate change. But rather than move forward with strict regulations, the state agency is considering a plan pushed by Gov. Gavin Newsom that would grant water districts more flexibility.