Northern California tribe asks judge to block permanent water contract with Westlands
The Hoopa Valley Tribe in Humboldt County argued before a federal judge that no Trinity River water can be sent to the Central Valley at the expense of the tribe’s fishery. The main dispute is over whether to block the U.S. Department of Interior from signing permanent water delivery contracts with Valley agribusiness interests, including Westlands Water District. Opponents say the real agenda is being driven by environmental groups that don’t want extra money going towards water storage projects, and they’re singling out Westlands because of its name recognition.