Pumping limits in Calif to be lifted for 2 weeks under court order to free up water for farms

Judge orders Calif water pumping limits lifted

FRESNO, Calif. — A federal judge says limits on pumping water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River delta can be lifted for three weeks to send more water to the state’s fields and cities.

Attorneys representing some of the nation’s largest farms asked for a preliminary injunction that would loosen pumping restrictions in the delta through mid-June.

The limits were put in place to protect endangered salmon, steelhead and other fish as they swim through the delta.

Farmers argue the cutbacks have caused millions of dollars in crop losses.

Environmental activists say even with the restrictions, several native fish populations are crashing.

U.S. District Judge Oliver Wanger said Tuesday evening the limits could be lifted for three weeks without further endangering the species.