Delta Happenings
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In this issue
- Festa! A Medieval Tradition Thrives in the Delta
- Weigh in on Yolo Trails
- Crawdad Festival Photo Gallery
- DPC Supports Abandoned Vessels Legislation
- Webb Tract Project Meeting Planned
- Nominate a Delta Champion
- Delta Agency Meetings
- Community and Civic Events: Juneteenth, Drought Response Forum, Rio Vista Anniversary
- Harmful Algal Blooms Report
NEWS
FESTAS: A Medieval Tradition Thrives in the Delta
June is Portuguese National Heritage Month
 Photos ©Joe Perfecto, used with permission
When Azorean Portuguese arrived in the California Delta during the Gold Rush, they brought with them a Medieval tradition that has proved resilient in a sea of constant change: the Holy Ghost Festa.
“My dad always talked about ‘the footsteps, the footsteps, the footsteps,'” said Jim Souza, one of the organizers of the Freeport/Clarksburg Festa. The oldest in the Delta, it was founded in 1893, and has been held at the same hall since 1905. “He was referring to the fact there was a lot of history there.”
Learn what California contributed to Festas, what's new in Festas, and what hasn't changed since the 1400s.
Weigh in on Yolo Trails, Including the Clarksburg Line
People can learn about – and offer comments on – the Yolo Active Transportation Corridors project at an open house in West Sacramento TODAY (June 18).
If you can’t attend today's open house, there is another in Woodland on June 27. You can also comment on the plan online (see the second page of this website).
The project is a plan by the Yolo Transportation District to create new walking and biking paths between and within the county’s communities. It includes a proposed extension of the Clarksburg Branch Trail Line that would connect West Sacramento with the Delta winemaking community of Clarksburg.
The Clarksburg Line is part of the Great California Delta Trail, envisioned as a network of trails that will ultimately connect the San Francisco Bay Area to Sacramento. Under state law, the Delta Protection Commission partners with local entities to coordinate planning and implementation.
Isleton Crawdad Festival Photo Gallery
The City of Isleton Crawdad Festival was held last weekend – check out our Facebook photo gallery from the event!
DPC Supports Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Legislation
The Delta Protection Commission has sent a letter of support for H.R. 7719, the Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Removal Act of 2024, to U.S. Rep. John Garamendi.
"The Commission has long advocated for removal of abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) from Delta waterways, and remediation of the environmental damage ADVs cause to the rivers and sloughs that are vital to irrigating farmland, supporting recreational and commercial fisheries, and providing enjoyment in all kinds of water recreation," wrote Executive Director Bruce Blodgett.
"ADVs pose real and significant threats to public safety and property from navigation hazards, and damage to docks, marinas, and levees."
Webb Tract Project: Review Plans, Ask Questions
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is hosting the first public meeting for two farming and habitat restoration projects on the Delta island of Webb Tract on July 10.
These projects are proposed by Metropolitan and funded by the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy.
Malinda Stalvey, Metropolitan project manager, will present project overviews and welcome additional presenters to discuss the farming opportunity, the preliminary wetland plans, potential ecocultural values, and scientific monitoring for this 5,500-acre island. Time will be reserved for questions and answers.
The meeting will be hybrid - on Zoom and at Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley - running from 11 a.m. to 12 or 12:30 p.m. More information is here.
Photo: Snow geese at Webb Tract, courtesy of Metropolitan Water District
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Nominate a Delta Champion
Nominations are open through July 19 for the 2024 Delta Champion Awards.
The awards, to be presented Sept. 18 in Isleton, recognize achievement in historical or environmental preservation; tourism, agriculture, education, commerce and/or the arts; health, community, and/or quality of life; and lifetime achievement in preservation, protection and promotion of the Delta.
There is also an award to honor a family that has contributed to the Delta for at least 100 years through multi-general professional and volunteer activities.
DELTA AGENCY MEETINGS
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Delta NHA Advisory Committee
The Delta National Heritage Area Management Plan Advisory Committee meets TODAY (June 18) in Rio Vista.
The agenda is posted here.
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Not sure which Delta agency is which? This fact sheet (PDF) explains the missions and roles of the Delta Protection Commission, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy and the Delta Stewardship Council.
COMMUNITY AND CIVIC EVENTS
 June 19 in Brentwood: Juneteenth - music, food trucks, kids' activities, craft vendors, educational booths. 4-8 p.m. at City Park.
June 20 in Walnut Grove: Forum on Delta Drought Response Pilot Program - hear outcomes of the Pilot Program, learn from UC Davis and Nature Conservancy research teams, provide program feedback to Delta Conservancy staff. 10 a.m.-noon at the Ryde Hotel.
June 25 in Oakley: Meet the Mayor and Vice Mayor - open session with Mayor Anissa Williams and Vice Mayor Shannon Shaw, who are a member and alternate (respectively) on the Delta Protection Commission. 3-6 p.m., by appointment.
June 30 in Rio Vista: 130th Anniversary of Rio Vista's incorporation.
Harmful Algal Blooms Report
There is a Harmful Algal Bloom danger advisory at Contra Loma Reservoir at Regional Park. The advice: Stay out of the water. Keep pets out of the water, and do not let them eat scum from the shore. Do not eat shellfish from the reservoir.
There are three cautions - same advice applies - in Discovery Bay: on Monterey Court, at Clipper Drive and Reef Court, and in Seal Bay on Discovery Bay Boulevard.
This information may change after the release of this notice. Check for updated information at the HAB Reports Map.
Send us your Delta news, events, or photos:
submit@delta.ca.gov
The DPC is on social media:
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Delta Protection Commission
2101 Stone Blvd Suite 200, West Sacramento, CA 95691
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