Delta Conservancy Announces Availability of $42M in Grant Funding
Dec. 22, 2022
WEST SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy is announcing the availability of $42 million in new funding for projects that support Nature Based Solutions: Wetland Restoration (NBS: WR) and Climate Resilience, Community Access, and Natural Resource Protection (CAR).
The Amended Budget Act of 2022 provided the Conservancy with $36 million in NBS: WR funds to support the restoration, conservation, and climate resilience for wetlands in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
Example projects include, but are not limited to:
- Managed and tidal wetland restoration
- Crop conversion to rice cultivation
- Technical assistance to access the Voluntary Carbon Market
- Planning to prepare for and support eligible projects (e.g., scoping, design, environmental compliance, science)
- Land acquisition or easement
The Amended Budget Act of 2022 additionally provided the Conservancy with $6 million in CAR funds for multi-benefit projects that promote community access to parks, open space, nature or cultural amenities; support climate resiliency to drought, floods, or extreme climatic events; protect food and water security; protect and conserve natural resources; and support biodiversity.
Example projects include, but are not limited to:
- Community access (e.g., parks, open space, nature, cultural amenities, museums, historical or cultural
- sites, recreation and tourism, and environmental education)
- Climate resilience
- Natural resource protection
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Delta Conservancy Announces Delta Drought Response Pilot Program for Water Year 2023
0ct. 3, 2022
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, in partnership with the Department of Water Resources, the Office of the Delta Watermaster, and The Nature Conservancy, and in coordination with Delta water users, is announcing the initiation of the Delta Drought Response Pilot Program for water year 2023.
In Recognition of Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week 2022
By Campbell Ingram, Executive Officer, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy
Sept. 22, 2022
WEST SACRAMENTO — Senate Concurrent Resolution 119 proclaims the last week of September as Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week in the State of California.
You can’t overstate the beauty and significance of the Delta. At the confluence of California’s two largest rivers, the Delta is the hub of California’s water supply, an incredible agricultural region, a great recreation and tourism destination, and an incredible ecosystem.
The Delta is such a special place, and we at the Delta Conservancy are proud of our partnerships and efforts to provide balanced ecosystem restoration and economic development in this great region. To date, the Delta Conservancy has funded over 70 locally supported grants that have improved important ecological functions, provided critical economic improvements through improved access for recreation and tourism, improved climate resilience, and supported drought management efforts. We do this work in partnership with the Delta community, our sister agencies, and a host of project partners.
The Delta is special every week, so let’s take this opportunity reflect on and celebrate the uniqueness and importance of the region and remind ourselves that our best chance to preserve it is by working together.
If you have questions about our work, please send an email to contact@deltaconservancy.ca.gov.
Sen. Dodd Announces Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week
VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/4zsC7EWccTs
Sept. 21, 2022
SACRAMENTO – In recognition of the critical role the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta plays in California’s economy and environment, Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, has designated the last week of September as Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week.
“The Delta is a cherished watershed and the very lifeblood of California’s water system,” Sen. Dodd said. “It is vital to our state as both a natural resource teeming with abundant wildlife and fish and a vital economic driver for tourism, recreation and Delta farmers. We must continue to protect it for future generations by preventing pollution and further marshland degradation and promoting its environmental health.”
Senate Concurrent Resolution 119 establishes Delta Week, which kicks off Sept. 25.
Sen. Dodd lauded the stewardship and restoration efforts of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy and Delta Protection Commission. Both have been instrumental in protecting the crucial expanse, formed by the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, which supports more than 750 species of plants and wildlife as well as more than 55 species of fish and hosts over 12 million visitors a year.
“Those who have experienced the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta know what a special place it is and the large impact it has on the daily lives of all Californians,” said Campbell Ingram, executive officer of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy. “Delta Week showcases the Delta’s important role as the heart of California’s water system, the home to about 500,000 acres of productive agricultural land, and a world-class recreation and tourism destination.”
“Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week will be an opportunity to highlight the Delta’s importance to all Californians,” said Bruce Blodgett, executive director of the Delta Protection Commission. “The Delta is amongst the most fertile agricultural regions in the world. The Delta’s agricultural value led the passage of the Delta Protection Act of 1992 to make sure our farmland in the Delta is protected. The social, cultural and economic values led to the creation of the Sacramento-San Joaquin National Heritage Area by Congress. Valuing the needs of the Delta is fundamental to protecting California’s economy and environment. The Commission looks forward to continuing to work with federal, state, and local agencies to protect, maintain, enhance and enrich the overall quality of the Delta environment and economy.”
To learn more about the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy’s mission to preserve, protect and restore the natural resources, economy and agriculture of the Delta, visit: http://deltaconservancy.ca.gov/. For information on the Delta Protection Commission, visit: https://delta.ca.gov/
The Delta Watershed is your backyard playground — a short drive from the San Francisco Bay, Sacramento, and Stockton areas. Explore www.VisitCADelta.com for places to stay, eat, and play during Delta Week.
For more information, visit Sen. Dodd’s website at http://sd03.senate.ca.gov/
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Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.
California Coastal Cleanup Day is September 17
Across the state — from the coast to the rivers to the Delta — Californians are invited to come out and make our world a more beautiful place to live in as part of Coastal Cleanup Day on September 17.
Most cleanup efforts will be active from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Click here for Delta-specific cleanup opportunities.
Open the California Coastal Commission map to see all the cleanup locations across the state and to learn more about Coastal Cleanup Day.
Delta Conservancy Board Elects New Chair, Approves Millions for Projects
The projects will support ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, community enhancement, and public access
July 27, 2022
WEST SACRAMENTO – The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy Board today elected a new Chair and approved seven new projects, totaling up to $5.4 million, as part of multiple programs aimed at improving Delta conditions related to ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, community enhancement, and public access.
Solano County Supervisor Mitch Mashburn will serve as the Conservancy’s Board Chair for 2022-2023. He will replace Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli, who was Chair for 2021-2022. Board Member Sandi Matsumoto will continue to serve as the Conservancy Board’s Vice Chair.
“The Conservancy looks forward to having Supervisor Mashburn as our new Chair. We offer our many thanks to Supervisor Nottoli for serving in the post and congratulate him on his upcoming retirement in January 2023,” said Campbell Ingram, Delta Conservancy Executive Officer.
The seven newly approved projects involve dozens of entities partnering to improve the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The projects comprise wetland restoration, enhancing habitat conditions for animals and plants, invasive species removal, improving water quality, increasing public access to natural areas, and bolstering habitat resiliency to climate change.
“These projects were developed and approved with local support and will continue the vital work of enhancing the Delta ecosystem and economy in the short and long term,” Ingram said.
The approved projects are:
Delta Conservancy Announces Climate Resilience, Community Access, and Natural Resource Protection Funding
The Budget Act of 2021 provided the Delta Conservancy with a one-time general fund allocation of $5,250,000 for projects that support climate resilience, community access, and natural resource protection activities that benefit the Delta (collectively known as Climate, Access, and Resource (CAR) funding).
The Delta Conservancy has determined that proposals submitted through the Conservancy’s Proposition 1 (Cycle 5) or Proposition 68 Grants Programs may be supported through the CAR program if the project meets CAR requirements.
Learn more about CAR funding opportunities.
Delta Island Adaptations Public Survey
The goal of the Delta Islands Adaptation (DIA) Project is to improve the resilience and sustainability of the islands in California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta owned by The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) by the most cost-effective means. The four islands considered in the study include Webb Tract, Bouldin Island, Bacon Island, and Holland Tract. The DIA planning effort consists of 2 phases: (1) Island selection and (2) detailed landscape mosaic scenario planning and design for the selected island. The survey will close on May 1st, 2022.
Click here to view the survey.
This survey is intended to solicit public input on the DIA project objectives and potential opportunities that exist on the islands, and to integrate this input into the planning process. All survey responses will remain anonymous, and results will be made public and posted on the project’s website, where you can view a recording of the March 15th public workshop and find more detailed information about the project: https://deltaislandadaptations-ucdavis.hub.arcgis.com/
Delta Island Adaptations: First Public Workshop
The public is invited to a March 15, 2022, public workshop on the new Delta Island Adaptations (DIA) planning effort, which is exploring ways to improve the resilience and sustainability of islands in California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta owned by Metropolitan Water District (MWD). These four islands face adaptation challenges similar to many other subsided lands in the Central Delta, and are crucial to meeting the State’s co-equal goals of ecosystem restoration, water supply reliability for California, and valuing the Delta as an evolving place for those who live, work and recreate within it.
MWD’s Delta islands provide a unique opportunity to advance science, research and collaboration to support the above goals. Metropolitan is embarking on the DIA Project through a Prop 1 Watershed Restoration Grant from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Through a collaborative and transparent co-design process, a team of experts are developing a comprehensive analysis of land use opportunities for subsidence reversal, sustainable agricultural practices, carbon sequestration, water quality, recreation, indigenous land stewardship and habitat restoration.
Workshop registration: https://bit.ly/3uZFOo6
Public Workshop Agenda
- Introduction to the DIA project and its co-design/planning process
- Virtual tour of the four MET Delta islands involved in the study
- Presentation of the project’s draft objectives
- Release of a public survey soliciting feedback on the project
For more information: https://bit.ly/3uSGX0K
Click here to view the event flyer
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) undertook the “Your Delta, Your Voice” survey to gather input from disadvantaged community members who live or work in the Delta. The survey was available online from September 30 through December 11, 2020. DWR arranged for Ag Innovations to lead survey development and outreach. They were supported by numerous partners and agency staff.
The objective of the survey was to inform DWR through gaining a better understanding of the priorities, values, and needs of Delta’s diverse communities. It also aimed to gather perspectives and information about how community members value, experience, and depend on the region’s cultural, recreational, natural, agricultural, and economic resources in order to identify how the project may impact those resources or potentially bring benefits to Delta communities.
The full Environmental Justice Community Survey Report and Executive Summary are available in additional languages on the Delta Conveyance Project’s Environmental Justice webpage.
