President Donald Trump’s California-related water policy hasn’t always been thoughtfully executed, as the fracas over his ordered water releases early this year to help with the Los Angeles wildfires made clear. The decision was hastily made, didn’t help firefighting efforts and squandered water that Central Valley farms will need as the dry season takes hold. Nevertheless, the president’s instincts are correct. California faces repeated droughts, with state water policy prioritizing environmental concerns over the needs of farmers and consumers. This approach hasn’t done much to improve the environment or boost fish populations. So Trump is right to shift priorities on federally managed projects. The latest news is heartening, as it points toward building a project that has been discussed for decades: raising Shasta Dam by 18.5 feet.