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The Latest by Trent Orr

Staff Attorney

Trent joined the California regional office in 2000 and retired in 2018. His work included successfully defending a model, open space-protection ordinance from developer challenges and twice defeating attempts by the Bush administration to gut regulations that protect our national forests.

An adult delta smelt.
February 13, 2019

Trump Official Working to Steer California’s Water to a Greedy Few

By Trent Orr  /  California Office

The Supreme Court upheld protections for a tiny fish, preserving an important tenet of the Endangered Species Act. Now the Trump administration wants to undo that victory.

Raising existing dams and plans to build more could imperil California’s salmon population.
September 30, 2015

Dreadful Dam Project Would Strand California's Salmon

By Trent Orr  /  California Office

Raising existing dams and building new ones could imperil California’s salmon population.

Zeke Grader, an environmental leader who served as executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Association for nearly 40 years, passed away on Labor Day.
September 11, 2015

In Memoriam of Zeke Grader

By Trent Orr  /  California Office & Headquarters Office

Zeke Grader, an environmental leader who served as executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Association for nearly 40 years, passed away on Labor Day.

Lake Siskiyou beneath Mount Shasta in Siskiyou county, Calif.
June 10, 2015

California Court Blocks Move to Let Farmers Drain Salmon Streams

By Trent Orr  /  California Office

The Siskiyou County Farm Bureau argued farmers could siphon water from rivers and streams with impunity—until the court of appeal stepped in to protect the county’s endangered fish.

Fisherman Jose Chi holds up a salmon, caught during the spring 2014 run, at Fort Bragg, CA.
April 28, 2014

Why “Fish Vs. Farmers” Is a False Dichotomy

By Trent Orr  /  California Office

California water management is not about protecting animals over people. It’s about coddling powerful special interests at the expense of average citizens, Delta farmers, commercial and sport fisherfolk—and a healthy Delta ecosystem.