Public Comment Opportunity: General Grant Guidelines
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy is pleased to release the draft General Grant Guidelines for public review and comment in advance of consideration and adoption by the Conservancy’s Board.
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta faces a range of significant challenges, including ecosystem degradation, land subsidence, climate change impacts, increased flood risk, and economic pressures affecting Delta communities. Grant funding represents a critical opportunity to support projects that address these challenges while delivering multiple benefits to the Delta’s environment, economy, and communities.
To ensure that funding is distributed transparently and directed toward projects with the greatest potential impact, the Conservancy has developed draft General Grant Guidelines to guide the allocation process.
Reference the specific section(s) of the draft Guidelines being addressed; and
Provide clear, actionable suggestions or proposed revisions.
The Conservancy also welcomes general feedback on whether the draft Guidelines align with and support your organization’s goals and vision for the Delta region. The Conservancy values public input as an essential component of the guideline development process. Your feedback helps strengthen transparency, improve program effectiveness, and ensure that a broad range of perspectives is considered.
Grant Guidelines Development Process
Following the close of the public comment period, Conservancy staff will review all submitted comments and revise the Guidelines as appropriate.
The Conservancy anticipates presenting the final General Grant Guidelines to the Conservancy Board for consideration at the May Board meeting. This meeting will be open to the public and accessible both in person and online. Additional details, including participation instructions and opportunities to provide public comment, will be posted on the Conservancy’s website in advance of the meeting.
Public Comment Opportunity: General Grant Guidelines
To ensure that funding is distributed transparently and directed toward projects with the greatest potential impact, the Conservancy has developed draft General Grant Guidelines to guide the allocation process. Comments are being accepted now through Friday,April 24.
Funding is available for rice conversion projects in the Delta to stop or reverse ongoing subsidence, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, maintain agricultural viability of land below sea level, and provide overwintering habitat for resident and migratory birds.
Join us and the Rio Vista Windsports Association for our 2026 spring cleanup event on Sherman Island. The event will be held on Saturday, April 25 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Celebrate Earth Month by helping us beautify a stretch of the Sacramento River!
An aerial view of Webb Tract. (Ken James / California Department of Water Resources)
The Delta Conservancy has opened a Concept Proposal Solicitation to identify potential projects and partnership opportunities within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region. This solicitation is not associated with a specific funding program or funding commitment. Rather, it will support future planning and funding efforts by enabling the Conservancy to:
Collaborate with potential applicants to refine projects in advance of future funding opportunities
Identify emerging needs, innovative concepts, and regional priorities that could be elevated for future funding
Facilitate connections to related efforts or technical assistance, as appropriate
An aerial view of Webb Tract. (Ken James / California Department of Water Resources)
The Delta Conservancy is has opened a Concept Proposal Solicitation to identify potential projects and partnership opportunities within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region. This solicitation is not associated with a specific funding program or funding commitment. Rather, it will support future planning and funding efforts by enabling the Conservancy to:
Collaborate with potential applicants to refine projects in advance of future funding opportunities
Identify emerging needs, innovative concepts, and regional priorities that could be elevated for future funding
Facilitate connections to related efforts or technical assistance, as appropriate
As appropriate, applicants who submit a concept proposal may receive feedback from Conservancy staff, technical assistance, and/or support in further developing projects for future funding consideration. The Conservancy encourages participation in this solicitation to ensure projects are well-positioned when funding opportunities become available.
The Conservancy invites concept proposals at any stage of development that align with its mission and support the ecological, economic, and community vitality of the Delta. More information on the Conservancy’s mission can be found here.
There is no deadline for submission under this solicitation. Future funding opportunities, if available, will include separate deadlines and requirements. Please refer to the Solicitation Notice associated with a specific funding opportunity for proposal submission deadlines.
The Conservancy appreciates your continued engagement and looks forward to reviewing concept proposals from across the Delta.
2025 Annual Report
Over the past year, the Conservancy advanced impactful projects and partnerships that strengthen and support the Conservancy’s efforts to support natural and working lands, local communities, and long-term ecological restoration efforts. Through collaboration, innovation, and on-the-ground action, this work continues to protect the Delta’s unique landscape while supporting its people and economy.
Organized around the goals set in the Conservancy’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan, the Conservancy has prepared an interactive annual report that highlights key accomplishments in 2025.
September 15, 2025 WEST SACRAMENTO – Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week, taking place this year from September 21 through 27, is a celebration of the Delta’s importance to all Californians and the people, flora, and fauna that call the region home.
Delta Week was made official by Sen. Bill Dodd’s Senate Concurrent Resolution 119 in 2022 and is celebrated annually during the last full week of September. Those who work and live in the Delta have long known that it’s a special and vital place.
Located inland from the San Francisco Bay, the Delta is formed by the union of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. Those rivers mingle with smaller tributaries and tidal flows from the ocean to form the highly biodiverse and productive San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary. The Delta region spans parts of Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, and Yolo counties and is home to more than half a million people.
The Delta is important for many reasons. Some include:
Provides a portion of the water used by about 27 million Californians.
Supports one of the largest estuaries on the West Coast of North and South America.
Creates habitat for more than 750 plant and animal species, including 55 fish species, some of which are found nowhere else in the world!
Offers migratory birds an important stop along the Pacific Flyway.
Contains more than 500,000 acres of agricultural land that provides food for worldwide distribution.
It’s a world-class recreational destination, attracting about 12 million visitors per year.
Our mission is to lead efforts to preserve, protect, enhance, and restore the natural resources, economy, and agriculture of the Delta and Suisun Marsh through both internal programs and grant-funded projects. To achieve this mission, we collaborate with local communities, tribes, interested groups, fellow science experts, and state and federal agencies to seek creative opportunities to address challenges and progress these efforts within the Conservancy’s jurisdiction.
There are plenty of ways to celebrate Delta Week and the Delta in general.
Use our Delta Week social toolkit, which has social media graphics, virtual meeting backgrounds, and more.
Participate in cleanups in the Delta as part of Coastal Cleanup Dayon September 20. We are co-sponsoring a cleanup at Sherman Island, and there are other Delta-area cleanups in need of volunteers.
“As we celebrate Delta Week, we recognize the rich history, diverse wildlife, and agricultural importance of this vital region. Delta Week is a time to reflect on the unique beauty and resilience of this landscape and to honor the communities that call it home,” says Delta Conservancy Executive Officer Campbell Ingram. “The Delta provides a playground to about 12 million visitors per year, water to 27 million Californians, and contains hundreds of thousands of acres of agricultural land providing food for worldwide distribution. The Delta faces challenges – from flood risk to climate impacts and loss of habitat – but ongoing collaborative projects in the Delta show us ways forward that benefit both people and wildlife. Here at the Delta Conservancy, we are committed to safeguarding and restoring crucial ecosystems and advancing the economic well-being of Delta residents.”
How Boat Sewage Impacts Water Quality and Wildlife
August 13, 2025 California offers boaters endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. The Golden State has an estimated 4 million recreational boaters, boasting one of the highest rates in the United States.
With so many boaters enjoying our waterways, it’s important that Californians practice clean and safe boating. Boaters can affect the quality of the waterways they enjoy, in some cases creating environmental and human health problems when discharging sewage overboard.
That’s why boaters are encouraged to use sewage management facilities, including pumpout stations, dump stations, and floating restrooms. These are facilities where boaters can safely and responsibly dispose of sewage and are sanitary alternatives to discharging waste into the water. For vessels that have restroom facilities with holding tanks – often referred to as a “head” among mariners – boaters “pump out” at these stations.
Why human waste is bad for our waterways
You may be wondering why human sewage is so harmful to our waterways since fish and other aquatic life aren’t using these pumpout stations.
Many chemical disinfectants and deodorizers used in marine sanitation devices (sewage holding tanks) on boats contain chemicals that are harmful to humans and wildlife. Ecosystems, on the other hand, have evolved over time to accommodate waste from the animals that live in them.
Today, human waste is typically treated – via city sewer systems leading to wastewater treatment plants or septic systems – to reduce its impact before entering the local ecosystem. Even small, one-time deposits of human waste can cause localized water quality issues, especially in enclosed or poorly circulating waters. In fact, one toilet flush of untreated sewage from your boat can cause the same environmental impact as 10,000 flushes from your home toilet (San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board).
Improper disposal of human waste can have the following negative impacts:
Health Risks
Pathogen exposure – bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause illnesses and infections
Waterborne diseases – such as cholera, hepatitis A, and giardiasis
Skin and eye infections – from contact with contaminated water
Environmental Damage
Water contamination – making water unsafe for drinking, swimming, and recreation
Eutrophication – excess nutrients lead to algal blooms and oxygen depletion
Fish mortality – from low oxygen or exposure to toxins
Habitat degradation – disrupting sensitive ecosystems like wetlands and estuaries
Socioeconomic impacts
Economic losses – including beach closures, fishery disruption, and high cleanup costs
Public health – increased illness and strain on health care resources
Water supply issues – contamination can reduce available clean water, especially in water-scarce regions
Find pumpout, dump stations, and floating restrooms near you
Using pumpout stations helps protect our water quality, wildlife, and the beautiful places we love to explore. You can find a boat sewage disposal facility near you by using the free Pumpout Nav app. It’s available for both iOS and Android devices and shows you where the closest sewage pumpout, dump station, and floating restrooms are located at participating marinas and harbors across California and other coastal locations in the U.S. The app also empowers boaters to report any problems with the pumpout and includes educational resources, including videos, environmental laws, and much more.
Funding for Land Acquisition will Support Public Access to Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Waterway
May 29, 2025 WEST SACRAMENTO – The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy Board on Wednesday approved funding for a land acquisition project to transform 22 acres in Stockton into a new publicly accessible green space along the Delta waterway.
The Board voted unanimously to approve up to $2.17 million in grant funding to the San Joaquin Community Foundation, the fiscal sponsor of the community-led initiative, to support the acquisition of privately owned land near the confluence of the San Joaquin and Calaveras rivers.
Once acquired, the land will be preserved as public green space, unlocking new opportunities for public access with new walking and biking trails, tree canopy, and facilities for rowing, paddleboarding, and other human-powered water activities. The initiative also seeks to establish the property as a place for regenerative farming of fruits and vegetables and for youth to experience environmental education and outdoor activities.
Funding for Land Acquisition will Support Public Access to Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Waterway
May 29, 2025 WEST SACRAMENTO – The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy Board on Wednesday approved funding for a land acquisition project to transform 22 acres in Stockton into a new publicly accessible green space along the Delta waterway.
The Board voted unanimously to approve up to $2.17 million in grant funding to the San Joaquin Community Foundation, the fiscal sponsor of the community-led initiative, to support the acquisition of privately owned land near the confluence of the San Joaquin and Calaveras rivers.
Once acquired, the land will be preserved as public green space, unlocking new opportunities for public access with new walking and biking trails, tree canopy, and facilities for rowing, paddleboarding, and other human-powered water activities. The initiative also seeks to establish the property as a place for regenerative farming of fruits and vegetables and for youth to experience environmental education and outdoor activities.
Courtesy San Joaquin Community Foundation
“Our region is profoundly grateful to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy for supporting this community-led project that will transform these underutilized 22 acres into beautiful green space for the community to enjoy,” said Michael Duffy, Chief Executive Officer for the San Joaquin Community Foundation.
The project emerged from the vision of Dr. Patricia Tirone and Dr. Robert Oprandy, who co-founded the nonprofit organization Delta Sculling Center in Stockton. Their vision has been to bring an aquatic center to Stockton to provide greater public access to rowing and paddling sports. In 2021, Drs. Tirone and Oprandy established the Delta Aquatic Center of Stockton as a fiscally sponsored project working under the umbrella of the San Joaquin Community Foundation. The Delta Conservancy previously awarded $2.5 million in grant funding for the planning and design phase of the aquatic center building.
“This moment represents a long-held dream shared by our team at Delta Sculling Center, our athletes, and our supporters to create a place where the community can access rowing, other water sports and outdoor recreation, accessible to all, no matter their financial circumstances,” said Dr. Tirone.
“This project will positively impact the community and the entire region for generations to come. We have forward-thinking nonprofit partners and community leaders supporting this ambitious endeavor, and we owe tremendous gratitude to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy for believing in this dream,” said Dr. Oprandy.
The project has received support from the City of Stockton; the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors; the San Joaquin County Office of Education; Delta Sculling Center; Black Urban Farmers Association; Restore the Delta; Trust for Public Land; National Park Service-Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program (NPS-RTCA); and other local organizations and community leaders.
“This project is fueled by a passionate group of leaders and visionaries,” said Reatha Hardy-Jordan, co-founder and Executive Director of the Black Urban Farmers Association. “I am excited about the potential for our organization to be the farmers in this project – bringing fresh, pesticide-free, locally grown fruits and vegetables to underserved communities. It’s a powerful alignment of land stewardship, healthy food, and outdoor recreation.”
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Delta Conservancy Welcomes New Board Members; Funding Approved for Freeport Gateway Monuments
January 22, 2025 WEST SACRAMENTO – The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy welcomed three new Board members on Wednesday, and the Board voted to approve funding to construct gateway monuments in the town of Freeport that will highlight the historical and cultural importance of the Delta community.
Contra Costa County Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston, San Joaquin County Supervisor Sonny Dhaliwal, and Yolo County Supervisor Sheila Allen were appointed to the Conservancy Board.
The Conservancy Board voted to award $505,202 to Sacramento County to install two gateway monuments welcoming people to Freeport and announcing it as the “Northern Gateway to the Delta,” and an interpretive sign depicting Freeport’s unique history.
The graphic shown is an illustrative concept. Final design will be determined during implementation. Project rendering courtesy of Sacramento County Dept. of Transportation.
“The County of Sacramento looks forward to completing the final phase to build community landmarks representing the diverse history of Freeport and the Delta,” said County Senior Landscape Architect Henry Yasui. “The project not only creates a sense of place for visitors but will educate them to the area’s historic role in regional commerce, transportation, and culture. The work leading up to the final implementation has been the result of the cooperation and valuable input from Freeport citizens.”
Located along the Sacramento River, the unincorporated town of Freeport is one of the 11 designated Legacy Communities in the Delta and played an important historical role in the California Gold Rush as a “free port” location where merchants could bypass City of Sacramento tariffs.
Freeport is also part of the last leg of the Victory Highway, a transcontinental road spanning from California to New York that was built in dedication to Americans who died in World War I. Today the stretch of road that passes through Freeport is known as Highway 160.
The Conservancy previously funded a planning grant and an acquisition grant for this project. The project is funded through Proposition 68, the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018, which made $12 million available to the Conservancy.
At the meeting, the Board also received an overview of the Conservancy’s 2024 Annual Report highlighting the achievements and milestones from the past year and approved an Implementation Plan for 2025.
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