Join us for panel presentations on the adverse effects and shortcomings of the proposed voluntary agreements. 

Livestream the panels on April 24-26 starting at 9:00am PT at https://video.calepa.ca.gov/ or https://www.youtube.com/user/BoardWebSupport

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Restore the Delta, as part of the Delta Tribal Environmental Coalition (DTEC), will be participating in panel presentations at the California State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB) voluntary agreements (VA) public workshop to address the negative impacts of VAs. In particular, what will be covered is the omission of proper public planning processes, tribal ecological knowledge, water quality standards, protections for environmental justice communities, science-based salmon recovery and tribal water rights. 

The multi-day public workshop will inform how, if at all, the SWRCB will incorporate VA proposals and other updates into the Bay Delta Plan – including presentations from VA parties, panel presentations and open public comment. 

With the lack of the best available science along with legal flaws, hear why the VAs are an ill-suited proposal to properly implement flow standards that are needed for the Bay-Delta estuary. 

*WHAT: Workshop on proposed voluntary agreements related to the Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary 

*WHEN AND WHO: April 24–26, 2024, beginning at 9:00 am PT with DTEC workshops on:

• Day 1, April 24, 2024
  • Panel: Lack of integration of Tribal Ecological Knowledge, Harmful Algae Blooms and impacts not covered by VAs.
  • Participants:
    • Zach Gigone, Vice Chair Malissa Tayaba or Krystal Moreno, Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians
    • Jesus ‘Jesse’ Galvan, Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-wuk Indians
    • Spencer Fern, Restore the Delta
• Day 3, April 26, 2024
  • Panel: Legal perspective, lack of timeliness and reserved Tribal Water Rights
  • Participants:
    • Delaina Castillo, Stanford Environmental Law Clinic
    • Makena Kauhane, Stanford Environmental Law Clinic 
    • Cintia Cortez, Restore the Delta
    • Gloria Alonso Cruz, Little Manila Rising 
    • Gary Mulcahy, Winnemem Wintu Tribe

Additional panels apart from DTEC that also deeply analyze problems with the VA process include:

• Day 1, April 24, 2024
  • Session 1: Integration of VA Flow and Non-Flow Measures
    • Tribal Beneficial Uses — Participants:
      • Krystal Moreno, Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians
      • Sherri Norris, California Indian Environmental Alliance
    • Environmental NGO Panel — Participants:
      • Ashley Overhouse, Defenders of Wildlife 
      • Keiko Mertz, Friends of the River
  • Session 2: Flow Measure Accounting
    • Environmental NGO Panel: Flow Accounting — Participants:
      • Barry Nelson, Golden State Salmon Association 
      • Greg Reis, The Bay Institute
      • Chris Shutes, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance
• Day 2 – April 25, 2024
  • Session 3: Non-flow Measure Accounting
    • Double Counting of Habitat Restoration, lack of science to justify certain habitats — Participants:
      • Ashley Overhouse, Defenders of Wildlife 
      • Keiko Mertz, Friends of the River
  • Session 4: Science Plan
    • Environmental NGO Panel — Participants:
      • Gary Bobker, The Bay Institute
• Day 3 – April 26, 2024
  • Session 5: Governance and Participation
    • Failed Past VA Attempts — Participants:
      • Barry Nelson, Golden State Salmon Association 
      • Ashley Overhouse, Defenders of Wildlife 
    • Environmental NGO Panel – Lack of all of the above, fatally flawed — Participants:
      • Ashley Overhouse, Defenders of Wildlife
      • Barry Nelson, Golden State Salmon Association
      • Gary Bobker, The Bay Institute

*WHERE: Joe Serna Jr. CalEPA Building, Coastal Hearing Room, 1001 I Street, Second Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814 and live streamed at at youtube.com/user/BoardWebSupport/ and video.calepa.ca.gov/