Delta Happenings
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In this issue
EVENTS
NEWS
ROADS, BRIDGES, AND FERRIES
DELTA AGENCY MEETINGS
EVENTS
Upcoming events in the Delta include:
- Interact with nature and wildlife at the family-oriented California Duck Days April 25 at Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Headquarters in Davis.
- Immerse yourself in art, food, and drink at the Riverfront Arts Fest May 2 in Rio Vista.
- Enjoy lion dance, martial arts, taiko drumming, music, arts and crafts, and food at the Asian Pacific Spring Festival in Locke on May 9.
Submit your Delta event for the calendar here.
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NEWS
Delta Conveyance Project Decision Expected this Week
The Delta Stewardship Council is scheduled to issue a key decision this week on the Delta Conveyance Project.
Ten parties, including the Delta Protection Commission, appealed the Department of Water Resources certification that the Project is consistent with the Delta Plan. The Delta Stewardship Council held hearings on the appeals in February.
The Council can either uphold the certification or send the project back to DWR for additional work to ensure consistency with the Delta Plan.
Council staff recommended remanding the Project to DWR (PDF) to address:
Council staff also recommended requiring DWR to file an annual implementation report updating its efforts to address a number of concerns raised by appellants. Those include concerns about how the Project will affect the Delta as an evolving place - key arguments raised by the Delta Protection Commission in its appeal (PDF).
CA Indian Heritage Center Breaks Ground in W. Sacramento
 California broke ground last week on the first phase of the California Indian Heritage Center in West Sacramento.
The Center will be located on a 51-acre property at the confluence of the American and Sacramento rivers.
Phase one, which is expected to be completed in Fall 2026, will create an outdoor welcome area with cultural and educational information, amphitheater-style seating, restrooms, and parking to welcome tribal and non-tribal communities.
Detailed Bay/Delta Lidar Map Now Available
 The most detailed, high-resolution elevation map of the Bay-Delta is now available, thanks to a collaboration of the Delta Stewardship Council, California Department of Water Resources, and San Francisco Estuary Wetlands Regional Monitoring Program.
The map is accurate to less than 10 centimeters.
Nutria Intentionally Reintroduced?
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New genetic research by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife suggests that the current nutria invasion is the result of an intentional reintroduction of the species.
Invasive non-native nutria were declared eradicated in the 1970s, but resurfaced in 2017.
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Rice Conversion Concept Proposals Sought Through June 15
 (Ken James / California Department of Water Resources)
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy is seeking concept proposals for a Delta Rice Incentive Program. It anticipates awarding two to three grants to eligible organizations serving various populations of farmers.
The Program is intended to support farmers who otherwise cannot convert their fields to rice due to inability to pay or finance high up-front conversion costs.
The Rice Incentive Program will be funded by Proposition 4 Climate Bond funds and the Nature Based Solutions Program.
Get Your Delta NHA Passport Stamp for Earth Day
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area staff will be at the California Natural Resources Agency Earth Day Celebration April 22.
Visit our table to learn about the National Heritage Area, and if you have a Passport to Your National Parks passport book, get your book stamped while you're there!
No passport book? No problem. You can stamp anything! Learn more about the Passport Program here.
The event will be held 3-5 p.m. at CNRA Headquarters, 715 P St., Sacramento.
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Applications Remain Open for Seat on Delta Protection Advisory Committee
Applications to fill the Utilities-Related Infrastructure seat on the Delta Protection Advisory Committee will remain open until the position is filled.
The three-year term for the incumbent in this seat expires in May and the incumbent has not reapplied.
2026 Delta Life Now Available
ROADS, BRIDGES, AND FERRIES
Two Weekend-Long Closures Planned for State Route 4 in May
 There will be two 55-hour full highway closures of State Route 4 from Roberts Road to the San Joaquin/Contra Costa County line, east of Discovery Bay, in May.
The closures are needed for the $22 million SR-4 Delta Pavement Improvement Project, which will repair and upgrade nine miles of existing highway between the county line and South Whiskey Slough Road in Holt, just west of Stockton.
The closures are scheduled as follows:
- 10 p.m. Friday, May 1, to 5 a.m. Monday, May 4
- 10 p.m. Friday, May 15, to 5 a.m. Monday, May 18
Schedules are subject to change due to traffic incidents, weather, availability of equipment and/or materials, and construction related issues.
The SR-4 Delta Pavement Improvement Project is expected to be complete in February 2027. Learn more
J-Mack Ferry Closed May 7-July 8
 Service for the J-Mack Ferry will be suspended for scheduled maintenance May 7-July 8.
The service is its five-year dry-dock, which includes a comprehensive inspection below the waterline and significant maintenance work.
During the service interruption, motorists are advised to use the Real McCoy II Ferry or the Miner's Slough Bridge.
ONGOING: Caltrans Work on Old River Bridge on SR-4
Upgrades and repairs of the Old River Bridge on State Route 4, located at the San Joaquin/Contra Costa county line, east of Discovery Bay, will result in 24-hour one-way traffic controls through November. Learn more (PDF).
DELTA AGENCY MEETINGS
The 2026 schedule for the Delta Protection Commission's public bodies is here. The schedule includes meeting packets as they become available, and approved minutes.
April 23-24: Delta Stewardship Council meets. The agenda is posted here.
May 11: Delta Protection Commission meets at 5 p.m. The agenda will be posted here at least 10 days in advance.
May 21-22: Delta Independent Science Board meets. The agenda will be posted here at least 10 days in advance.
May 27: The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy meets. The agenda will be posted here at least 10 days in advance.
June 2: Delta Protection Advisory Committee meets in Stockton. The agenda will be posted here at least 10 days in advance.
June 24: Delta NHA Advisory Committee meets. 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.
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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