Delta Happenings
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In this issue
- Port Chicago Defendants Exonerated
- Applications Open for NHA Committee
- Conservancy Approves Museum Grant, Elects Hume as Chair
- Heat Takes Toll on Delta Bridges
- Mallard Breeding Population Down in Delta, State
- Drought Response Pilot Program Report Available
- Delta Agency Meetings
- Community Events: Taste of the Delta, Japanese Festival, Boats & Berries Festival
- Harmful Algal Bloom: Another New Danger Advisory
NEWS
Port Chicago Defendants Exonerated
On July 17 - the 80th anniversary of the devastating Port Chicago Naval Magazine explosion - the Secretary of the U.S. Navy exonerated the remaining 256 defendants of the 1944 Port Chicago general and summary courts-martial.
Following the explosion, white supervising officers at Port Chicago were given hardship leave while the surviving Black sailors were ordered back to work. In the absence of clarity on the explosions or further safety training, 258 Black sailors refused to resume ammunition handling. After threats of disciplinary action, 208 returned to work; but the Navy still convicted all of them at a summary court-martial for disobeying orders.
“The Port Chicago 50, and the hundreds who stood with them, may not be with us today, but their story lives on, a testament to the enduring power of courage and the unwavering pursuit of justice,” said Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro. “They stand as a beacon of hope, forever reminding us that even in the face of overwhelming odds, the fight for what's right can and will prevail.”
Located west of Pittsburg, the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial is part of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area.
Learn more about the Port Chicago Disaster (links to Delta Heritage Courier article).
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DELTA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA
Applications Open for NHA Advisory Committee
Applications to serve on the Delta National Heritage Area Advisory Committee remain open until 5:30 p.m. Aug. 16.
The Committee was created by the Delta Protection Commission on July 18. Its role is to advise the Commission on carrying out the Management Plan for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta NHA.
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Speakers Sought for Delta Heritage Forum
This year's Delta Heritage Forum on Nov. 15 will focus on Creating Community Through Heritage.
We're accepting recommendations for speakers and Lightning Talk topics through Aug. 15.
Learn more here about planned sessions at this Delta Protection Commission event and suggest topics and speakers - you are welcome to recommend yourself.
Registration opens in September.
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Delta Conservancy Approves Nearly $1M for Stockton Maritime Museum Project, Elects New Chair
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The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy Board last week elected a new chair and approved $950,000 to support preconstruction planning of a historical maritime museum in Stockton that will showcase a restored vessel previously used by the U.S. Navy.
Sacramento County Supervisor Pat Hume (shown at right) was elected the Conservancy’s Board Chair for 2024-25. Hume also serves on the Delta Protection Commission.
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 The USS Lucid (MSO-458) is currently being restored with the goal of becoming a floating museum ship in Stockton. (Martha Ozonoff, Delta Conservancy)
Heat Takes Toll on Delta Bridges
 A boat passes under the Isleton Bridge in May 2024
CBS 13 in Sacramento recently highlighted the impact of high heat on the Delta's moveable bridges: Hot metal expands, and if it expands when the bridge is open to let boats pass, the bridge may not be able to close correctly.
Learn more about the problem, and efforts to prevent it, here.
Mallard Breeding Populations Down in Delta, Statewide
 Pintail, shovelers, American wigeon, cinnamon teal, green-winged teal and coots at the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area in the Delta. (Travis VanZant/CDFW)
The number of breeding mallards has declined 12% statewide and 24% in the Delta, according to a report released by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife last week.
“Despite another good water year, the lack of adequate nesting habitat, particularly in the Central Valley, continues to restrict waterfowl population growth in California,” said CDFW Waterfowl Program Biologist Melanie Weaver.
Delta Drought Response Pilot Program Report Available
The Delta Conservancy released its report this week on the 2023 Delta Drought Response Pilot Program, an experimental program to test drought-resistant field management practices in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Watershed.
The Program was a partnership of the California
Department of Water Resources, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, the Delta Watermaster, The Nature Conservancy, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, UC Merced, UC Davis, and the UC Cooperative Extension.
“It was an honor to be able to support this program and have the opportunity to partner with so many Delta farmers to better understand how we can manage through drought conditions,” said Delta Conservancy Executive Officer Campbell Ingram.
Read the press release here.
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DELTA AGENCY MEETINGS
Delta Protection Advisory Committee
The Delta Protection Advisory Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Tony's Place in Walnut Grove.
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 EVENTS
 Aug. 3 in Stockton: Buddhist Church of Stockton's Annual Obon Japanese Festival & Odori Stockton - martial arts, flower arrangements, Japanese food. 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. at 146 West Weber Avenue.
Aug. 10 in Stockton: Taste of the Delta - live music, auction, food, beer, wine. Tickets are $45 in advance, $50 at the door. 1-4 p.m. at Windmill Cove.
Aug. 17 in Rio Vista: Saturday Street Faire - music, art, jewelry, crafts, food, and more. 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Aug. 17-18 on Bethel Island: Bethel Island Boats and Berries Festival - parade; car, bike and boat show; live music and talent show; catfish races; vendors and food trucks; line dancing; kids zone. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Harmful Algal Blooms Report: New Danger Alert at Big Break
 The Big Break Regional Shoreline boat launch is the newest location in the Delta with a harmful algal bloom Danger Advisory. Danger advisories remain at Discovery Bay and the Contra Loma Reservoir.
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.
For a current listing and map, click or tap on the button below - information may have changed since this was written.
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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