Executive Order 14181

Emergency Measures To Provide Water Resources in California and Improve Disaster Response in Certain Areas

Signed 2025-01-24 in effect
WaterInfrastructureCaliforniaDisaster Response
Energy & EnvironmentTransportation & Infrastructure

Directs federal agencies to take emergency measures to increase water deliveries in California, including redirecting water from environmental protections to agricultural and municipal use. Issued in the context of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires.

Section by Section

What each section does, and how they differ.

Sec. 1 Purpose

Directs federal agencies to provide water resources to Southern California and override state policies unduly burdening water delivery infrastructure.

Sec. 2 Water Delivery Actions

Secretaries of Defense, Interior, and others must ensure adequate water in Southern California and override state activities unduly burdening water delivery, including operation of Central Valley Project.

Sec. 3 California Mismanagement Review

OMB and agency secretaries shall review California policies for sound disaster prevention and report on noncompliance with federal grant terms and conditions.

Sec. 4 Housing and Waste Removal

HUD and FEMA must expedite housing relief for wildfire survivors; Defense, Homeland Security, and EPA must develop plan to expedite debris removal within 5 days.

Sec. 5 Hurricane Helene Relief

Agencies must expedite road clearance and repair, provide housing relief for Hurricane Helene survivors, and use disaster preparedness grants properly.

Sec. 6 General Provisions

Standard boilerplate: preserves existing agency authority, conditions the order on appropriations, and creates no enforceable private rights.