The Newsom administration is coming under fire for paying $180 million to a private investment firm that speculates on water in exchange for a relatively small amount of additional water for Sacramento River salmon. Some environmental advocates fear it could set a precedent for overcharging California taxpayers in a water-constrained future. State officials and supporters of the deal say it’s not that simple because, among other things, it’s a one-time payment for water in perpetuity, not just for one year. This year, the Newsom administration reached the deal to purchase water used by a Northern California farm, saying the goal was to leave the water in the river to help fish and the environment. … The $180 million was paid to RRG Capital Management, based in Los Angeles and part of Renewable Resources Group. … The water will come from a 7,500-acre farm called Fair Ranch, located along the Sacramento River.

Other habitat and species restoration news:

• San Luis Obispo Tribune (Calif.): Efforts to protect SLO County beavers just got a big funding boost. See how much
• American Rivers: Blog: What’s next in the effort to keep roadless watersheds roadless