Senator Dodd Recognizes Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week
VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/4zsC7EWccTs
SACRAMENTO – In appreciation of the critical role the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta plays in California’s economy and environment, Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, is recognizing the last week of September as Delta Week. The annual observance comes on the 32nd anniversary of the Delta Protection Act, which designates the Delta as a natural resource of statewide, national and international significance containing irreplaceable resources.
“The Delta is vital to our state as both a natural resource teeming with abundant wildlife and fish and a vital economic driver for tourism, recreation and Delta farmers,” Sen. Dodd said. “It is a cherished watershed and the very lifeblood of California’s water system. We must continue to protect it for future generations by preventing pollution and further marshland degradation and promoting its environmental health.”
Sen. Dodd’s Senate Concurrent Resolution 119 established Delta Week, which this year kicks off Sept. 22. As part of the annual tradition, it will be preceded on Sept. 21 by Coastal Cleanup Day, which offers Californians a chance to participate in local waterway cleanup events.
Sen. Dodd lauded the stewardship and restoration efforts of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy and Delta Protection Commission. Both have been instrumental in protecting the crucial expanse, formed by the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, which supports more than 750 species of plants and wildlife, including more than 55 species of fish, and hosts over 12 million visitors a year.
“As we celebrate Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week, we recognize the rich history, diverse wildlife, and thriving agriculture of this vital region,” said Campbell Ingram, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy executive officer. “It’s a week to recognize the unique beauty and resilience of this landscape, and to honor the communities that have called it home for generations. Despite facing challenges like subsidence of Delta islands and habitat loss, ongoing collaborative projects in the Delta demonstrate paths forward that benefit both people and wildlife. At the Delta Conservancy, we are committed to safeguarding and restoring crucial ecosystems and advancing the economic well-being of Delta residents in the near and long term.”
“In a state filled with natural riches, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta stands out because it is rich in what has mattered most to humans for our entire existence: water and the abundance it brings,” said Bruce Blodgett, executive director of the Delta Protection Commission. “Whether it’s supporting native plants and wildlife, or crops and herds, it is absolutely essential to the people whose lives are centered here: tribes, farmers, hunters and anglers, boaters and bike riders, photographers, history buffs, agritourists, and anyone who enjoys a breathtaking sunset. The Delta Protection Commission is proud to protect everything that makes this region special, and to promote it to world through our Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area.”
The Delta Protection Act of 1992 designated the Delta as a natural resource and declared the policy of the state is to recognize, preserve and protect those resources for the use and enjoyment of current and future generations, in a manner that protects and enhances the unique values of the Delta as an evolving place.
To learn more about the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy’s mission to preserve, protect and restore the natural resources, economy and agriculture of the Delta, visit: http://deltaconservancy.ca.gov/. For information on the Delta Protection Commission, visit: https://delta.ca.gov/
The Delta Watershed is your backyard playground -- a short drive from the San Francisco Bay, Sacramento, and Stockton areas. Explore www.VisitCADelta.com for places to stay, eat and play during Delta Week, and visit the Conservancy’s Delta Week webpage for more ways to celebrate.
For more information, visit Sen. Dodd’s website at http://sd03.senate.ca.gov/
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Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa, and Sacramento counties. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.