The Trump administration has offered one of its most detailed explanations of why it wants to stop dam removal on Northern California’s Eel River, citing in a letter numerous concerns that include water, power, wildfire safety and even the state’s “radical leadership.” Still, big questions remain. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins sent the three-page letter Friday in response to a Congressional inquiry about her agency’s sudden interest in a pair of relatively obscure PG&E-owned dams. … The dams, in Lake and Mendocino counties, are part of the Potter Valley hydroelectric project, which Pacific Gas and Electric Co. is seeking to retire because of its age and expense. … In the letter obtained by the Chronicle, Rollins said her agency is actively looking for someone new to operate the project, to both continue power generation and maintain water supplies.

Other Potter Valley Project news:

• Grist: Why is this Trump official dead set on saving a failing California dam?
• The Mendocino Voice (Calif.): Letter to the editor: What about other people’s water rights?