The Delta Residents Survey Results are in! –Delta Stewardship Council & other research partners 10/2023
What is the Delta Residents Survey?
“The 2023 Delta Residents Survey was a first effort of its kind in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to develop a rigorous survey research methodology to begin to assess important social indicators affecting Delta residents’ well-being.”
For the survey question, “Who do you feel best advocates for your interests in the Delta?”
Restore the Delta was the most-mentioned community-based organization! (page 56) And scored higher than elected officials and government agencies.
Why Conduct a Survey?
“In 2009, the Delta Reform Act created the Delta Stewardship Council to advance California’s “coequal goals” for the Delta: “a more reliable statewide water supply and a resilient Delta ecosystem – in a manner that protects and enhances the unique characteristics of the Delta as an evolving place where people live, work, and recreate….”
What were the goals of this survey?
“The DRS had four substantive research aims:
1. Characterize residents’ sense of place;
2. Assess well-being of a diverse and evolving population living in the region;
3. Understand residents’ experiences and perceptions of environmental and
climate changes across the estuary;
4. Evaluate residents’ civic engagement and perceptions of governance in the
region.”
Restore the Delta note: We encourage everyone to read the entire report to help us better understand ourselves and what we as a community want to create as we continue our work to restore the Delta.
Toxic algal blooms in California rivers were seen a lot less this summer – Spectrum News 10/31/2023
…Conditions for fish and people in the rivers have been favorable this year. Over the past years, river systems around the state have been plagued by toxic algal blooms. But this year is different.
Spencer Fern, Delta Science Program Manager for the Restore the Delta nonprofit in the Stockton area, explained that last summer, McLeod Lake in the heart of Stockton — which feeds from the San Joaquin River — experienced algal blooms for much of the summer.
“This year, at least compared to last year and the years prior, we haven’t seen any single harmful algal bloom outbreak along this waterway, which is kind of strange.”
Fern noted that all along the San Joaquin River this summer, they saw a significant decrease in algal blooms. He said water conditions this year were relatively the same as previous years, except for one major difference.
“The increased water flow has come down as a result of [the huge] snowpack [working its way] throughout the system,” Fern said.
Local federal officials urge Army Corps to allocate Delta levee funds – Daily Republic 11/2/2023
A letter has been sent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers urging the agency to allocate sufficient resources to repair levees within the San Joaquin Basin, Sacramento Basin and Delta region.
The letter was signed by U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla and seven members of Congress, including Solano representatives John Garamendi, D-Walnut Grove, and Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento.
“Many regions in California are critically dependent on the California State Plan of Flood Control, a network of levees in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River watersheds. These levees have proven to be vital in mitigating flood risks and ensuring the safety of our residents and businesses,” the letter states.
“However, the relentless storms of 2023 caused extensive damage to this network, leaving numerous communities susceptible to potential levee failures during the upcoming flood season. The consequences of such failures would be devastating, resulting in property damage and destruction, severe economic setbacks for our constituents, and even potential loss of life. These damaged levees protect major cities, including Sacramento and West Sacramento, as well as numerous rural towns adjacent to the rivers, home to over a million people and the economic backbone of our region,” the letter adds.
Delta Co-Op – Space Available
Restore the Delta has workshare space available for environmental and social justice organizations and positive environmental/sustainable businesses! Located in Stockton, near the Port of Stockton and I-5, our facility includes a conference room with hybrid meeting capability, ample parking, multiple kitchens, bathrooms, and great partner organizations to collaborate with on a regular basis. We also offer a large community meeting room.
The Delta Co-Op has 5 workstations available presently with access to all facilities and storage (designated closet/cabinet areas) for $300 per month. Our community meeting room is also available to rent for specific events and includes a kitchenette. The community meeting room can be rented for $300 for 8 hours or $150 for 4 hours.
Contact Mariah Looney today to learn more about the Delta Co-Op and to schedule a tour. Mariah can be reached at Mariah@restorethedelta.org, or 209-479-2559.