A year ago, I got an email from one of our members, Bob Ransdell, suggesting that our club consider supporting Restore the Delta. After taking a brief look at their website I decided to add this organization to our list of candidates for this year’s SCFF contributions. After learning about their mission, areas of focus and how they align with our club priorities, the SCFF conservation committee decided to support Restore the Delta with a cash contribution. The mission of Restore the Delta is “to ensure the health of the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary and Delta communities”. Since 2006 they have worked in areas of public education, program and policy development, and outreach to advance their vision to restore the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay Delta. To achieve their goals, they interface with local, state and federal agencies. They also connect communities with the estuary and foster participation in government planning, community science and waterway monitoring. Their ongoing work includes:
Delta Tunnel—The current iteration of this plan—the Delta Conveyance Project—would divert up to 6,000 cfs of water from the north delta to large farming operations and water wholesalers south of the delta. Restore the Delta, along with their allies including the Bay Institute, California Indian Environmental Alliance, Golden State Salmon Association, San Francisco Baykeeper and the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians have been engaged in legal action against the California Department of Water Resources to stop the DCP. In a recent press release by Delta Tribal Environmental Coalition (DTEC), Scott Artis, executive director for the Golden State Salmon Association stated “Extending water permits for 55 years isn’t a ‘minor change’—it’s a major blow to California’s already struggling salmon populations. The Delta Conveyance Project will devastate the fishing industry and Bay-Delta watershed that communities and tens of thousands of people and businesses rely on, all while bending the rules for big water interests.”
Policy and Advocacy—Restore the Delta has a Delta Policy Analyst that monitors and engages with the State Water Resources Control Board. She advocates for water quality standards that are protective of tribes, environmental justice communities, and Delta fisheries and ecosystems.
Water Quality—A priority is to understand the science behind and monitor harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABs pose a serious threat in the form of toxins released from blooms that can cause problems from skin rashes to liver problems. They can kill pets and deplete dissolved oxygen which can kill fish, impacting sustenance fishing and sport fishing.
There are other programs that this organization is involved with to protect and restore the delta. Together, these all contribute to further our club’s mission to conserve, protect and restore local, state and national fisheries. This is why the conservation committee supports Restore the Delta.
Posted on October 30th, 2024