Delta Happenings
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In this issue
NEWS
ONGOING EVENTS/OPPORTUNITIES
Delta Agency Meetings
Community Events: Tea Tasting, Film Premiere, Pioneer Contributions
Harmful Algal Blooms
NEWS
Suspect Facing Felony Charges in Stockton Illegal Dumping Case
 A suspect has been identified and charged on suspicion of a September 2024 illegal petroleum dumping incident that affected the Smith Canal Waterway in Stockton/
The charges stemmed from a criminal investigation by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Law Enforcement Division and the Stockton Police Department.
New Signs Improve Navigation, Raise Awareness of Great California Delta Trail
 First Sign Is Installed in Vallejo
Wayfinding signs are going up along the Carquinez Strait Scenic Loop Trail, which is part of the Great California Delta Trail.
The signs denote distances to key landmarks, and include the logo of the Great California Delta Trail, which is coordinated by the Delta Protection Commission, as well as logos for the Bay Area Ridge Trail and San Francisco Bay Trail.
"Including all the trail logos helps show the connection of the regional trails between and around the Bay Area and Delta," said Delta Protection Commission Program Manager Virginia Gardiner, who leads the GCDT. "And it helps trail users choose their trail."
The signs are funded by the Solano Transportation Authority Wayfinding Signs Grant Program. The first sign was installed at the north end of the Al Zampa Memorial Bridge on Maritime Academy Drive in Vallejo.
The Carquinez Strait Scenic Loop has 25 miles of existing trail with 25 more planned, all located along the shorelines of the Carquinez Strait in Solano and Contra Costa counties. This vision for this trail was developed in 2020 by five regional trails – the Ridge Trail, San Francisco Bay Trail, Great California Delta Trail, San Francisco Water Trail, and the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail.
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Nutria as Table Fare: There's Only One Problem
A recent article from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service promotes the value of nutria and other invasive species as table fare.
However, nutria hunting is not encouraged in California. "The California Department of Fish and Wildlife does not encourage nutria hunting out of concern other species could be mistakenly targeted," said DFW Information Officer Krysten Kellum.
"Misidentification is still a huge issue in California, and accidental take of otters or beavers can have legal implications. Also, nearly all of the infested areas in California are on private properties, which would require hunters to have written permission from the landowner, or are on public lands that do not allow nutria hunting."
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Lawsuit Contests Delta Tunnel Decision
Sacramento County, San Joaquin County, the City of Stockton, Central Delta Water Agency, Sacramento County Water Agency, and Sacramento Area Sewer District have sued the Delta Stewardship Council in Sacramento County Superior Court.
The suit seeks to invalidate a January 2025 Council decision regarding the Delta Tunnel.
Lands Commission Approves Emergency Ballast Rule
The State Lands Commission on Feb. 25 authorized an emergency rulemaking to address the invasive golden mussel.
The mussel was discovered at the Port of Stockton last October and has since spread elsewhere in the Delta.
The emergency rulemaking will add a ballast water exchange requirement in addition to discharge performance standards for vessels carrying fresh or brackish ballast water and discharge in California’s fresh or brackish water ports.
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Related: DWR on How to Stop the Spread of Golden Mussels
DBW Invasives Control To Begin
 March 20 marks the beginning of 2025 invasive aquatics control efforts in the Delta by the California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways.
DBW will begin herbicide treatments on water hyacinth, South American spongeplant, Uruguay water primrose, alligator weed, Brazilian waterweed, curlyleaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, coontail, fanwort, and ribbon weed in the Delta.
The treatment start date may change depending on weather conditions and plant growth/movement.
Delta Stewardship Council Accepting Comments on Rulemaking
The public may comment on the Council Meeting Procedures Regulatory Package under consideration by the Delta Stewardship Council. The deadline is April 15.
Highway Lane and Ramp Closures in SJ County
There is a series of lane and ramp closures this week in San Joaquin County on state routes 4 and 12 and Interstate 5.
Locke Foundation Scholarships Available for Delta and Rio Vista HS Students
The Locke Foundation has $1,000 scholarships available for graduating seniors from Delta High School and Rio Vista High School. The deadline for applying is 5 p.m. April 18.
Delta Protection Commission Names New Interim Executive Director
The Delta Protection Commission has named Dan Ray of Davis as its Interim Executive Director, effective Feb. 27. Ray will oversee the agency’s day-to-day operations and manage its staff of eight.
Ray retired as Chief Deputy Executive Officer of the Delta Stewardship Council in 2017 and subsequently worked as a retired annuitant for the Commission. Previously, he served in the Department of Water Resources Delta Levees Program, the California Bay Delta Authority, and the CalFed Bay Delta Program.
ONGOING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Applications for Delta Protection Advisory Committee Close March 14
Applications close at 5 p.m. Friday, March 14, for five seats on the Delta Protection Advisory Committee. The incumbents are all eligible to reapply. Learn more and apply.
Marine Traffic Bridge Closures in SJ County - Through March 29
San Joaquin County movable-span bridges will be temporarily closed to marine traffic through March 29. Affected bridges are the Eight Mile Road Bridge at Honker Cut Canal, the Bacon Island Road Bridge at Middle River, and the Tracy Boulevard Bridge at the Grant Line Canal. Learn more.
Isleton Bridge Scheduled for Daily Closures - Through June 30
The Isleton Bridge on State Route 160 near the city of Isleton will be closed to all motorists during daytime hours into the early evening. Closures will take place 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays through June 30. Learn more.
Paintersville Bridge Scheduled for Daily Closures - Through Aug. 1
The Paintersville Bridge on State Route 160 near Courtland will be under daytime full closures for repair work. The work schedule is 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays through Aug. 1. Learn more.
DELTA AGENCY MEETINGS
2025 DPC Schedule
The 2025 schedule for the Delta Protection Commission's public bodies is available here.
Delta Protection Commission
The Delta Protection Commission meets at 5 p.m. March 20 at the Stockton Hilton.
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 AND MEETINGS
To list your community event in Delta Happenings, email information to submit@delta.ca.gov. The next issue of the newsletter is scheduled for March 25; the deadline to submit events for that issue is March 20.
 March 14 in Rio Vista: Learn from a local modern apothecary - taste teas and learn to blend your own, all supplies provided. 1-2:30 p.m. at the Rio Vista Library Meeting Room, 44 South Second St.
March 15 in Ryde: Immigrant and Emigrant Pioneer Contributions featuring Carol Jensen. 2-4 p.m. at the Ryde Hotel, 14340 CA-160.
March 22 in Sacramento: Film Premiere of "Voices: Chinese Women of the Delta," a documentary by Min Zhou. 1-4:30 p.m. at the California Museum, 1020 O St.
April 12 in Rio Vista: Mad Hatter's Tea Party - entertainment, prizes, games, raffle. 11:30 a.m. at the museum; tickets required.
April 26 in Rio Vista: Rio Vista Fire Department Hotshots and Professional Firefighters Association Fun, Food, and Gaming Fundraiser. 4:30-9 p.m. at 45 Main St.
Harmful Algal Blooms Report
Here is the location, as of Monday, Feb. 10, of one harmful algal bloom advisory in the Delta. Click on the button below for details and updates.
Caution advisory: Contra Loma Reservoir. Advice: Stay away from algae and scum in the water. Do NOT let pets go in the water, drink the water, or eat scum on the shore. Keep children away from algae. Do not eat shellfish from this waterbody.
Send us your Delta news, events, or photos:
submit@delta.ca.gov
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Delta Protection Commission
2101 Stone Blvd Suite 200, West Sacramento, CA 95691
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