Delta Happenings
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In this issue
NEWS
Bridge Work
Delta Agency Meetings
Community Events: Taste of the Delta, Hog August Bites
Harmful Algal Blooms
NEWS
Delta's 'Culturally Significant Landscape' at Risk
The Delta Protection Commission’s staff has submitted comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding its "pre-final" Programmatic Agreement for protecting the Delta's cultural resources under Sect. 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
The agreement provides a process for protecting resources should should the Corps approve permits for the state Department of Water Resources to construct Delta Conveyance Project, known as the Delta tunnel.
The Commission may choose to sign the Programmatic Agreement, which would ensure its participation in the Corps’ consideration of how to protect historic properties the tunnel's construction may affect. Consideration of this option would be noticed and heard at a future Commission meeting.
The agreement, the DPC staff's comment letter and a staff report (PDF) may be viewed here. It will be discussed at the Aug. 5 Delta Protection Advisory Committee meeting.
Comment on the DPC's Preliminary Farmland Conversion Study
The Delta Protection Commission invites public comment through Sept. 8, 2025, on the preliminary report of its study of Delta farmland conversions for water supply, flood control, and habitat projects.
Preliminary results of the study (PDF) were presented at public workshops held July 15 and 17, and to the Delta Protection Commission at its regular meeting on July 17. Several speakers highlighted their concern about the impact of the aggregate loss of farmland in the Delta. Agriculture drives the Delta’s economy, and protecting its critical mass is part of the Delta Protection Commission’s mandate.
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Proposed Updates to Bay-Delta Plan Released
The State Water Resources Control Board released proposed updates to the Bay-Delta Plan last week.
The draft updates (PDF) are here, and a roundup of reactions to the draft can be found here.
Disappearance of Ryde Hotel Peafowl Makes National News
 The disappearance of the Ryde Hotel's peacocks has made news across the nation. Here is a sampling of the stories - subscriptions may be required:
7/21 - Los Angeles Times: 'A stab in the heart.' Beloved peacocks reported stolen from historic California hotel
7/22 - SFGate: 37 peacocks reported missing from historic California hotel
7/23 - Washington Post: Peacocks roamed a historic hotel. Then they were stolen, management says.
7/23 - New York Times: Dozens of Peacocks and Peahens Disappear From Remote California Hotel
7/23 - New York Post: Dozens of peacocks — worth about $2K a piece — mysteriously vanish from historic California hotel
7/24 - Men's Journal: Dozens of Expensive Peacocks Stolen in Brazen Bird-Napping
2025 Delta Champions Named; Celebration on Sept. 9
 The Delta Leadership Foundation has named its 2025 Delta Champions:
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Delta Preserver: Sacramento River Delta Historical Society
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Delta Promoter: Rio Vista Bass Derby
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Delta Improver: Steve Mello
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Delta Legacy Family: The Nunn Family of Contra Costa County
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Delta Lifetime Achievement: Clarence Chu
A celebration honoring the champions will be held 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9 at the Perez Barn in Thornton. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased here.
$6 Million Awarded for Delta Research
The Delta Stewardship Council's Delta Science Program has awarded $6 million for eight critical scientific studies in the Delta and Suisun Marsh over the next three years. The topics:
- Advancing a Collaboratory for Equitable Stewardship of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta Watershed
- Eco-Cultural Renewal of Delta Tule Landscapes
- Understanding Social-Environmental Interactions in Suisun-Delta Tidal Marsh Restoration
- Optimizing Monitoring Tools for Cyanobacterial Harmful Blooms in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta
- Analyzing Flow Regime Effects on Adult Green Sturgeon Migration in Central California Rivers: Science and Policy
- From Source to Sea: Building an Integrated Cross-Cultural Vision of Sierra Headwaters and Delta Resilience
- Leveraging Citizen Science to Study Sturgeon Mortality in the San Francisco Estuary
- Improving Subsidence and Carbon Emissions Modeling
- Fit for the Wild: Cultivating Release-Ready Delta Smelt in Impoundments
- Uncovering Genetic and Life History Resilience in Spring-Run Chinook Salmon
Save the Date: Delta Invasive Species Symposium
The Sixth Biennial Delta Invasive Species Symposium will be held Dec. 4, 2025, at the California Natural Resources Agency Building in Sacramento.
Organized by the Delta Interagency Invasive Species Coordination (DIISC) Team, the Symposium is free to attend and open to anyone interested in the impacts of invasive species in the Delta.
The DIISC Team invites abstracts for five-minute lightning talks highlighting work on invasion in the Delta region. Lightning talk presenters must attend in person and should submit abstracts by Aug. 29.
Yolo Basin Foundation Seeks Docents
The Yolo Basin Foundation is seeking docents for its Discover the Flyway program, which provides popular K-12 field trips to the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area.
The field trips provide an outdoor experience that instills appreciation for Central Valley wetlands and wildlife, and inspires the next generation of naturalists, biologists, historians, and scientists.
Docent training will take place 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 7, 8, 9, 15, and 16. For information or to sign up, contact volunteer@yolobasin.org.
BRIDGE WORK
Paintersville Bridge Scheduled for Daily Closures - Through July 30
Marine Traffic Closure: Eight Mile Road Bridge - Through late August
Rio Vista Bridge One-way Traffic Control - 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1 to 6 a.m. Saturday Aug. 2
DELTA AGENCY MEETINGS
The 2025 schedule for the Delta Protection Commission's public bodies is available here. It includes meeting packets and approved minutes.
Aug. 5
Delta Protection Advisory Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. The agenda is posted here.
Aug. 6
Delta Protection Commission meets in closed session to consider executive director candidates at 8:30 am. in West Sacramento and at teleconference locations in Fairfield and Stockton. The agenda is posted here.
Aug. 20
Delta NHA Advisory Committee meets at 1 p.m. The agenda will be posted here at least 10 days in advance.
Aug. 28
Delta Stewardship Council meets. The agenda will be posted here at least 10 days in advance.
Sept. 18
Delta Protection Commission meets at 5 p.m. The agenda will be posted here at least 10 days in advance.
Oct. 22
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy meets at 9 a.m. The agenda will be posted here at least 10 days in advance.
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 Aug. 12; the deadline to submit events for that issue is Aug. 7.
 August 9 in Isleton: Taste of the Delta - local wineries, breweries and restaurants, artisan craft vendors, and live music. 1-4 p.m. at Delta Diamond Farm.
Aug. 23 in Rio Vista: Hog August Bites - professionally judged rib and chili cookoff, live music, car show, local art, and family-friendly activities, as well as offerings from local chefs, restaurants, and vendors. 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. downtown.
Sept. 5 in Stockton: San Joaquin County 175th Anniversary Gala. 6 p.m. at the Haggin Museum. 209-468-2350.
Harmful Algal Blooms Report
 Here is the location, as of Monday, July 28, of harmful algal bloom advisories in the Delta. Click on the button below for details and updates.
Danger advisory: STAY OUT OF THE WATER. Do not touch scum in the water or shore. Do NOT let pets go in the water, drink the water, or eat scum on the shore. Do not eat shellfish from this waterbody.
Warning advisories: NO SWIMMING. 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. Do not eat shellfish from this waterbody.
- Buckley Cove near Buckley Cove Boat Launch
- Smith Canal at Louis Park boat ramp
Caution advisories: 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.
- San Joaquin River - Windmill Cove
- Victoria Canal near Union Point
Visual observations: 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.
- Grant Line Canal - near Old River
- Old River at Clifton Court intake
- Old River downstream of the ORT barrier
- Old River at Mountain House
- West Canal at Clifton Court intake
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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