Steelhead protections could bring new water restrictions

A state determination that Southern California steelhead trout merit additional protections could mean tighter water restrictions, according to agricultural groups and water districts.

California Farm Bureau environmental policy analyst Justin Fredrickson said strengthening protections for the Southern California steelhead under the California Endangered Species Act "is going to ratchet things up regulatorily for affected water users."

Though actions to protect steelhead will vary for different affected watersheds, Fredrickson said, "the state endangered listing will be used to maximize flows...