After an eight-year absence, David J. Hayes has reclaimed both the California water portfolio and the title as deputy secretary of the Interior. Hayes will coordinate the Obama administration’s role in California water use.
This is familiar territory for the once-and-yet-again deputy secretary. Between 1999 and 2001, Hayes focused on Colorado River conflicts and California’s Bay-Delta problems, among others. Public records show he was also a registered lobbyist for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California after serving as deputy Interior secretary during the Clinton administration.
Now he will have to deal with proposals like the “Inter-tie” connecting California’s state and federal aqueducts and the $26 million “Two Gates” project that would permit more irrigation deliveries by protecting fish from being sucked into Delta-area water pumps.
We wish him luck.
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