Delta Happenings
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In this issue
NEWS
Ongoing: Delta Leadership Program Applications, IEP Workshop Abstracts
Delta Agency Meetings
Community Events: Oktoberfest(s), Halloween, Two Bell Events
Harmful Algal Blooms
NEWS
Draft Tunnel Consistency Certification Posted
 The Department of Water Resources on Oct. 3 posted a draft of a key document for the Delta Conveyance Project: a certification that the tunnel project is consistent with the Delta Plan.
A draft Certification of Consistency is required to be posted at least 10 days before formal submission to the Delta Stewardship Council, if there is otherwise no public opportunity to comment, such as a public hearing.
DWR is accepting comments on the draft through Oct. 13.
The Delta Stewardship Council has a summary of its certification and appeal process here (PDF).
Delta Stewardship Council Appointments
Appointed to the Council
Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Ann Patterson and Audrey Cho to the Delta Stewardship Council.
Patterson, of Sacramento, has been appointed as a member of the Council’s seven-member board, taking the place of Judge Frank C. Damrell, Jr.
She has been a senior counselor in the governor's office since 2025, where she has served multiple roles since 2019, including as the Governor’s cabinet secretary and legal affairs secretary. Previously, she was a Partner at Orrick, Herrington, and Sutcliffe from 2005 to 2018. Her position on the Council requires Senate confirmation.
Cho, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the Council’s executive team as
legislative and policy advisor, effective Oct. 2.
She has been an executive fellow (Capital Fellows Program) at the Council since 2024. In 2022, she was a district intern for the Office of Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and a National Science Foundation researcher at the University of Wisconsin, Stout. Her position at the Council does not require Senate confirmation and was last held by Brandon Chapin.
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Appointed by the Council
The Delta Independent Science Board has welcomed three new members – Dr. Peter Goodwin, Dr. Cathleen Jones, and Dr. Steve Lindley – who were appointed to five-year terms by the Delta Stewardship Council on July 24.
“These three new board members are poised to make immediate and lasting
contributions,” said Delta Lead Scientist Dr. Lisamarie Windham-Myers. “As world
leaders in their fields, they elevate and expand the depth and breadth of the Delta
ISB. We are grateful for their willingness to serve our mission during these times of rapid change.”
Yolo Basin Foundation Executive Director to Step Down
Yolo Basin Foundation Executive Director Martha Diepenbrock is preparing to retire at the end of January.
Diepenbrock held the position since the beginning of 2021. She took over in the middle of COVID and led the organization through a time of tremendous uncertainty.
“Throughout her tenure, Martha has navigated the ups and downs of running a non-profit through a pandemic, leading staff in the return to in-person programs, and taking on a large facilities-improvement project with competence, good humor, fortitude, and grace,” said Jan Smutny-Jones, Yolo Basin Foundation Board Chair. “Yolo Basin Foundation is in a strong position today - internally and organizationally - because of her passion and focus.”
The Yolo Basin Foundation Board is beginning the search to replace her now.
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Applications Open: Contra Costa County Shoreline Leadership Academy
Applications are open for the Contra Costa Shoreline Leadership Academy. The academy is for county residents interested in becoming local shoreline resilience experts and advisors.
Participants, who must be at least 18 years old, meet every other Saturday Jan. 10-June 13, 2026, touring parts of the Contra Costa County shoreline and learning from subject-matter experts about:
- Community Health and Well-being
- Ecosystem Health & Resilience
- Transportation & Transit
- Development, Housing & Land Use
- Critical Infrastructure & Services
- Shoreline Contamination
- Public Access & Recreation
- Collaborative Governance, Flood Management & Funding
Upon completion of the Academy, each participant will receive a $1,800 stipend and have the opportunity to advise the county on the Contra Costa Resilient Shoreline Plan.
ONGOING: CALL FOR ABSTRACTS, COMMENT DEADLINE, DELTA LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
IEP Workshop Call for Abstracts - Deadline Oct. 10
Delta Stewardship Council Public Participation Plan Comment Deadline - extended to Oct. 13 - survey in English, survey in Spanish.
Apply for Delta Leadership Program - Deadline Nov. 21
DELTA AGENCY MEETINGS
The 2025 schedule for the Delta Protection Commission's public bodies is available here. It includes meeting packets and approved minutes.
CANCELED - Oct. 7: Delta Protection Advisory Committee.
CANCELED - Oct. 22: Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy.
Oct. 22: Delta Independent Science Board meets. The agenda will be posted here at least 10 days in advance.
Oct. 23: Delta Stewardship Council meets. The agenda will be posted here at least 10 days in advance.
Oct. 29: Delta NHA Advisory Committee meets at 1 p.m. The agenda will be posted here at least 10 days in advance.
Nov. 13: Delta Protection Commission meets at 5 p.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 Oct. 21; the deadline to submit events for that issue is Oct. 16.
Oct. 10-12 in Rio Vista: Rio Vista Bass Derby & Festival. Derby runs Oct. 10-12; Festival is Sat. Oct. 11.
Oct. 11 in:
Brentwood: Downtown Brentwood Coalition Oktoberfest. Sierra Nevada Biergarten, live bands, Fun Zone including craft stations, local performers, demonstrations, wiener dog costume parade, one-man circus and more. 1-7 p.m. in downtown Brentwood.
Lodi: San Joaquin County Tractor Fest. Hands-on tractor show, tractor parade, kids activities, food trucks. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum, 11793 N. Micke Grove Road.
Oct. 12 in Clarksburg: Ring the Bell! A benefit for the 1883 Clarksburg Schoolhouse. Sip Clarksburg wines, sample appetizers, browse silent auction treasures, and enjoy the sound of the historic Schoolhouse Bell, cast in 1886 by the CS Bell Company from their proprietary “Crystal Metal” alloy. 3-5:30 p.m. at the home of Will Middleton and Kris Martin, 36533 Netherlands Rd.
Oct. 14 in Antioch: Contra Costa County District 3 and 5 Joint Town Hall about Community Impact Funds. 6-7 p.m. at the Nick Rodriguez Community Center, 213 F St.
Oct. 16-19 in Antioch: 89th Annual Walnut Festival. Family-friendly entertainment, live music, carnival with more than 15 rides, Kid Zone, artists, craftsmen, designers, jewelers, builders, food specialties, craft beer garden and more.
Oct. 18 in:
Antioch: Fall-O-Ween. Trunk or treating, games, costume and pumpkin-carving contests, face painting. 2-6 p.m. at Antioch Water Park, 4701 Lone Tree Way.
Brannan Island: Delta Bay Foundation's Flora, Fauna, & Fun. A fall celebration of the natural beauty, agricultural richness, and cultural history of the California Delta. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Brannan Island State Recreation Area, 17645 Highway 160, Rio Vista.
Brentwood: Brentwood Rotary Hosts Digs & Rigs. Hands-on experience invites kids and families to explore and climb on construction equipment, utility trucks, emergency vehicles and more. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Martinez: Contra Costa County Historical Society Open House. In celebration of American Archives Month, the Society is offering 45-minute tours of its archives and recent acquisitions. Tour appointments begin at 10:30 a.m. for CCCHS members and noon for non-members. 724 Escobar St.
Oct. 19 in:
Brentwood: Pawstoberfest. Activities, treats, pets! 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at City Park, 790 2nd St.
Crockett: Sugar Tales: How to Make Sugar. A C&H Sugar employee and a Crockett Historical Society volunteer discuss the sugar refining process in this Sunday salon at Crockett Museum. 2-4 p.m. at the museum, 900 Loring Ave.
Oct. 24 in Stockton: Screening of “River's End,” a documentary about California's water conflicts. Sponsored by Delta Chambers. Delta Marine Sales, 1302 W. Fremont St.
Oct. 25 in:
Antioch: Rivertown Trunk or Treat Car and Bike Show. Pet costume contest, kids costume contest, store-to-store trick or treating, monster truck rides, kids zone, music, vendors. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 708 West 2nd St.
Brentwood: Hometown Halloween. Trick or treating, 4-8 p.m. at Oak and First streets.
Nov. 1 in Antioch: Dedication of newly refurbished 1872 First Congregational Church Bell at the Antioch Historical Museum. 11 a.m., 1500 W. 4th St.
Harmful Algal Blooms Report
Here is the location, as of Monday, Oct. 6, 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.
- Contra Loma Reservoir at Regional Park
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 downstream of the ORT barrier
- Old River at Clifton Court Intake
- Old River at Mountain House
- Victoria Canal near Union Point
- 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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