About Restore the Delta
On March 30, 2006 and July 15, 2006 California Delta stakeholders gathered at the University of the Pacific in Stockton to discuss the state and the future of the California Delta. What made these meetings different from the myriad of Delta conferences held over the last fifteen years was that they were not led by a government agency. Local activists from the region brought together members of conservation groups, farmers, housing developers, angling groups, faith organizations, university staff, farmers, school teachers, SJ County Supervisors, cultural heritage groups, water lawyers, recreational boating groups, and representatives from the agricultural community. In two three-hour working meetings, this group of Delta stakeholders set the following agenda for the Restore the Delta Campaign.
Restore the Delta works to:
- Improve water quality and quantity to meet federal Clean Water Act standards and to protect native species.
- Seek the reduction of water exports to levels that will restore and sustain the Deltašs ecosystem.
- Support levee repairs to protect urban areas and farmlands, while supporting comprehensive flood management planning.
- Market the Delta as a unique resource for recreation, including, but not limited to fishing, swimming, wine tasting, wind surfing, hiking, boating, camping, and bird watching.
- Protect the economic interests of the California Delta, including, but not limited to, fishing, farming, marinas, recreation, transportation, and tourism.
- Promote the establishment of a Delta Conservancy, that will act as an ecosystem-wide body and funding vehicle for state and federal restoration projects.
- Mobilize a broad-based grassroots movement in pursuit of these goals.
The initial meetings also resulted in the award of several grants, the hiring of Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla as the Campaign Director, the creation of a Steering Committee that will provide over sight to the operation of the organization.
