The Delta Conservancy

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy Number 1, Issue 3 July 2012

“A partner for balanced ecosystem restoration and economic development in the Delta.” In This Issue Strategic Plan Establishes Chair’s Perspective Page 2 Conservancy as Partner and Leader Executive Fellows’ Findings Address the Establishing the Sacramento-San Joaquin Plan or the Central Valley Flood Protection Impact of Increased Delta Conservancy as a valuable partner and Plan and are categorized as stages in the plan. Recreation on Delta leader in Delta restoration and economic Page 2 development activities are at the core of the Stage 1 roles are with little or no funding and include the Conservancy as entrepreneur Campbell’s Corner recently adopted Strategic Plan. (without plans) or as broker (with plans); Page 3 The Strategic Plan lists the six goals of the Stage 2 roles occur when the Conservancy has Delta Royalty Conservancy for the next five years; specific sufficient funding to be either a catalyzer Page 4 objectives and strategies for each of the six (without plans) or a project-builder (with goals also are included in the plan as are plans). The Conservancy’s priorities are Conservancy Moves potential actions the Conservancy may take to shaped by the interaction of funding and Into New Facility achieve its goals. (See goals in box below.) plans. Page 5 In addition to the goals, objectives, and “Completing the Strategic Plan a full nine Strong strategies, the plan also outlines the four months before the deadline allows us to more Collaborations Make potential roles for the Conservancy in the next fully participate in many of the processes, Successful Grant Awards Workshop on few years. These four roles are contingent such as the Delta Plan and the Bay Delta August 22 upon the combination of funding and Conservation Plan, so we can make sure those Page 5 completed planning efforts such as the Delta (Continued on page 3) Farmer Addresses Delta Conservancy Goals Flooding and Water Quality Issues with Establish the Conservancy as a leader in  Establish the Conservancy as a valuable  Restoration partner with Delta growers, agriculture- gathering and communicating scientific Page 6 related businesses, and residents in and practical information about the protecting and enhancing the Delta’s Delta ecosystem and economy agricultural and working landscapes and sense of place  Create an effective organization based on principles of community service,  Lead economic enhancement activities collaboration, coordination, appropriate that support the Delta ecosystem and transparency, and efficient use of economy resources to fulfill the Conservancy’s mission and deliver its programs  Lead efforts in protecting, enhancing, and restoring the Delta ecosystem in  Establish a stable, diversified, and self- coordination with other governmental sustaining funding base of the and non-governmental entities and Conservancy citizens in the Delta Chair’s Perspective Conservancy to Become Positive Force in Delta

By Mary Nejedly Piepho, Contra Costa County Supervisor and Chair, Delta Conservancy Board Chair, 2010-2012 CONSERVANCY BOARD I am proud to be a part of the Delta force for the Delta, but with the dedication I Conservancy Board of Directors. For the first see in both the Board and Staff, I’m Ken Vogel, Chair time we have a State agency in the Delta that optimistic that we will get there. San Joaquin County is actively seeking input from the local Mike Eaton, Vice-Chair We adopted the Conservancy’s Strategic Plan Appointed Public Member community. The Delta Conservancy is committed to working directly with the at our June 27th Board meeting. This effort Darla Guenzler, PhD Appointed Public Member people in the Delta to understand their included eight public meetings throughout the Delta and many, many meetings with John Laird, Secretary interests and look for creative ways to bring Natural Resources resources to their priorities. Given the small groups and individuals to get local Agency current tensions in the Delta, it is not at all input on the role of the Conservancy. We Ana Matosantos California Department of surprising that people are initially skeptical of believe this effort has resulted in a good Finance document that will guide the Conservancy in the role and mission of the Conservancy. I Mary Nejedly Piepho am encouraged, however, that almost the coming years. Contra Costa County everyone we speak with at least begins to see Jim Provenza Please check out the Plan at the following the possibility of the Conservancy as a Yolo County link, www.deltaconservancy.ca.gov, and valuable partner. It will take time to develop Dan Taylor please always feel free to contact the Appointed Public Member the relationships and trust necessary for the Conservancy with any questions, suggestions, Senator Lois Wolk Conservancy to be a positive and effective Ex-Officio Member or to get involved. Volunteers always

Eddie Woodruff Solano County

Jimmie Yee Sacramento County Executive Fellows’ Findings Address the Impact

LIAISON ADVISORS of Increased Recreation on Delta Steve Chappell Suisun Resource A team of Executive Fellows presented to the Conservation District  There is a need for better and clearer Delta Conservancy Board in June their Don Glaser signage between public land and private U.S. Bureau of Reclamation findings about how increased recreation and property.

Amy Hutzel tourism in and around the Delta could impact California Coastal Conservancy law enforcement issues in the region. Under  Better boater education could help Robin Kulakow the mentorship and direction of the Delta reduce boater-related crime, such as Yolo Basin Foundation Conservancy Board and staff, Fellows boating under the influence. Joe LaClair interviewed federal, state, and local law Bay Conservation and Development Commission enforcement entities, and stakeholders in  The state may want to consider communities throughout the region to better Ren Lohefener mandatory licensing of vessel operators U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service understand the impact – and potential legal to support boater education efforts. Maria Rea issues – associated with increasing usage in National Marine Fisheries Service the Delta.  There is a need for Delta-specific crime Paul Robershotte data and statistics for more accurate U.S. Army Corps of Engineers The 12-page white paper focused on understanding of the law enforcement Michael Villines trespassing, theft, and boating safety as well Central Valley Flood as the current and projected need for budget, resource allocation issues. Protection Board resources, and coverage for future law A copy of the Executive Fellows Report to the Mark Wilson enforcement in the Delta region. Conclusions Delta Protection Commission Delta Conservancy Board is available online in the report included: at the Conservancy’s website: www.deltaconservancy.ca.gov.

Page 2 The Delta Conservancy Campbell’s Corner What are The “Delta Dialogues”?

In October of last year, the Conservancy The “Delta Dialogues” represent a departure sponsored a conference that focused on from previous efforts to convene Delta Sacramento- changing the way we view Delta challenges. stakeholders over the Delta. Instead of formal San Joaquin We explored the concept of Wicked meetings or specific planning processes, the Delta Problems, problems so complex they cannot Delta Dialogues have the broad goal of Conservancy be understood at any level of completeness, “developing shared understanding of the and for which there are no “correct” solutions future of the Delta.” They include using Staff because each potential solution can result in Dialogue Mapping, a process that captures Campbell Ingram completely new formulations of the problem. the conversation and consensus of the group Executive Officer The Delta clearly fits the classic definition of in real time on a screen that all participants Shakoora a Wicked Problem. can see. The hope is that such understanding Azimi-Gaylon will make it easier to address the Delta’s Assistant Executive Recognizing the importance of effective complex challenges, will inform and influence Officer communication and shared understanding existing planning processes and will lead to a when working with Wicked Problems, we better shared understanding between Nancy Ullrey convened a group of representative Delta stakeholders. Program Manager interests to begin a dialogue. Participants in Kristal Davis Fadtke these discussions said they were eager for a You can follow the Delta Dialogues process Staff Environmental process that would lead to better shared and see who is participating at the following Scientist understanding, but also spoke of “baggage” website, www.delta.groupaya.net/. Our from previous efforts to bring Delta intention is, and the group has worked hard Susan Roberts stakeholders together, and expressed urgency to ensure, that each interest group in the Board Liaison that these meetings would lead to real Delta is represented and that this process is Rhonda Hoover- progress on Delta issues. Based on the transparent. I hope you will follow this Flores participant’s interest in continuing the exciting process and that our efforts make Executive Assistant dialogue, the Conservancy sought and improvements in how we address Delta received grant funding to continue this challenges. process for a six month period (June to Campbell Ingram Delta Conservancy October, 2012). Executive Officer 3500 Industrial Blvd West Sacramento, CA 95691 (916) 375-2084 Fax: (916) 376-9688 Email: info@ Strategic Plan deltaconservancy.ca.gov (Continued from page 1) Website: deltaconservancy.ca.gov processes know and understand the issues An electronic copy of the Conservancy’s and concerns of the Conservancy and its Strategic Plan may be obtained online at constituents,” Campbell Ingram, executive www.deltaconservancy.ca.gov or a printed director, said. version may be obtained by calling the Conservancy’s office at 916-375-2084. The plan underwent extensive public review processes, including eight public meetings throughout the Delta and a comment review period. The Conservancy also individually interviewed many Delta residents, local government officials, farmers, and business leaders for their input on the plan.

The Delta Conservancy Page 3 Delta History

Delta Royalty

“Delta King...on the National Register of Historic Places”

Ordered in 1924 and shipped in pieces from service between Cincinnati and New Orleans. Scotland to Stockton in 1926, the Delta King In the 1950’s the Delta King served as a and her sister ship, the , were bunkhouse for hundreds of single men who christened May 20, 1927. The paddle were constructing the ALCAN Aluminum wheelers, each 285 feet long, 58 feet wide, and plant and KEMANO Dam projects on the weighing approximately 1,650 tons, were northern coast of British Columbia. widely regarded as the most lavishly appointed ships ever commissioned at that Both ships were listed on the National time. Register of Historic Places in the 1970’s and the Delta Queen was identified as a National The paddle wheelers were used for regular Historic Monument in 1989. service on the between Sacramento and San Francisco and for In 1981 the Delta King sunk for unknown excursion trips to Stockton on the San reasons while docked in Richmond, CA. It Joaquin River from 1927 until the early was soon discovered that the damage was 1940’s, when California’s burgeoning highway minor and she was raised and towed to her system and the construction of bridges current location in Sacramento, CA where she rendered them obsolete. During World War II serves as a 44-room floating hotel/restaurant. these ships were requisitioned by the US Navy As of the summer of 2011, the Delta Queen for duty in the and was docked in Chattanooga, TN and operates renamed the USS Delta King and USS Delta as a floating hotel. Queen.

In 1948 the Delta Queen sailed to New Orleans and entered into regular passenger

Page 4 The Delta Conservancy Conservancy Moves Into New Facility

After numerous complications, the Conservancy successfully executed a lease for their new home. The new location is the “Miyamoto” property on Harbor Blvd and Halyard Drive, two blocks east of our current location in West Staff expects to move in mid August. Sacramento. It features office An open house will be scheduled after the dust space for staff, has settled. as well as volunteers, and a conference room for board meetings and Staff and volunteers expect to move into their other functions. new offices mid August. Our new address will be 1450 Halyard Drive, Suite 6; email Thanks goes to Nancy Ullrey and Elisa addresses and phone numbers will remain the Sabatini for their heroics and perseverance same. in this nearly two year effort. They endured the process and maintained their sense of An open house for the Delta community will humor through it all! be scheduled after the dust has settled.

Strong Collaborations Make Successful Grant Awards Workshop on August 22

The Delta Conservancy is offering a components of the proposal, from the workshop to help in developing collaborative abstract to the project design. Participants “...grant funding grant proposals. As grant funding now will also receive one-on-one advice on their now depends on depends on strong collaborations, this specific projects. strong workshop will cover what it means to collaborations... collaborate with other organizations and The workshop is Wednesday, August 22, how to protect their organization when 2012, 8:30am-11:30am, at the Rio Vista developing a collaborative agreement. Municipal Airport. Contact Susan at 916-275- 2088. The workshop is geared to help grant writers improve their funding success and ensure The workshop instructor is Kristen Cooper they know the latest on funding research and Carter, Grant Management Associates, who grant funding trends. It is designed for has more than 25 years experience as a grant those undertaking agency specific projects developer, technical writer and project and will include writing the various manager.

The Delta Conservancy Page 5 Notes from the Field Delta Fairs, Farmer Addresses Flooding and Water Festivals, & Events Quality Concerns with Restoration Courtland John Stephens, a fourth generation Pear Fair farmer on Oakdale Ranch in Yolo July 31 County, recently received the Pacific pearfair.org Institute Inaugural Farm Water Stewards Award. He was recognized Solano County for the multiple-benefit riparian Fair restoration project he initiated and August 1-5 completed, as a private landowner, on scfair.com the portion of Willow Slough that runs through his property. Stephens had Yolo County Fair been concerned about the high rates of August 15-19 erosion along the slough, turbid water yolocountyfair.com discharged from his property and the Pittsburg Seafood loss of wildlife he grew up with as a Festival child. Additionally, winter flooding of Today Stephens reports considerable September 8-9 the incised slough required costly improvements in Willow Slough’s water pittsburgseafoodfesti maintenance. quality. A well-established riparian forest has val.com To address this problem, Stephens partnered developed and quail and pheasants, among with California Audubon’s Landowner other species, have returned. Stephens hopes Lodi Grape Stewardship Program to re-grade and re- to take his grandchildren pheasant hunting Festival and vegetate the banks to filter runoff, absorb eventually. Harvest flood flows, convey drainage, and provide September 13-16 riparian habitat for wildlife. Teenagers from The Stephens family property gained grapefestival.com the Student and Landowner Education and international attention for their restoration San Joaquin Watershed Stewardship Program (SLEWS) project. Reestablishing the important helped with the planting of native vegetation. connection between farmers and their County Fair September 20-30 SLEWS engages high school students to assist property serves as a model to farmers because sanjoaquinfair.com in restoring habitats; hands-on restoration restoration projects benefit their land. projects enhance classroom learning, develop Find more farm water success stories at Pacific Sandhill Crane learning skills and result in real positive Institute’s website: www.pacinst.org/ Festival impact for the environment. The Conservancy reports/ success_stories/index.htm November 2-4 is currently seeking funding sources to expand cranefestival.com these programs in the Delta.

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy 3500 Industrial Blvd West Sacramento, CA 95691