California officials have joined a legal effort to restore water to the Kern River after an abrupt shutoff of water dried up the river and killed thousands of fish in Bakersfield. The decision by state officials and Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta to intervene in the court case gives new impetus to environmental groups as they try to compel the city of Bakersfield and agricultural water districts to bring back a flowing river. Bonta announced Monday that he and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife filed a brief supporting the environmental groups in the case before the state’s 5th District Court of Appeal.

Related:

• SJV Water: State Attorney General, Fish and Wildlife join fight to bring flows back to the Kern River
• State Attorney General news release: Bonta Files Amicus Brief on Importance of Protecting California’s Waterways