DPAC Minutes 2023-08-06
Meeting Minutes
Delta Protection Advisory Committee
Tuesday, August 6, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
Tony’s Place Restaurant
14157 Market Street, Walnut Grove, CA 95690
1. Call to Order/Flag Salute – Anna Swenson, DPAC Chair
Chair Swenson called the meeting to order at 5:39 p.m.
2. Welcome and Roll Call
A quorum was present with members Anna Swensen, Russ Ryan, Gary Mello, Craig Watanabe, Katie Wiley, Morris Lum, Heather Swinney, Emily Pappalardo, Arron Pellarin, Erin Chappell, Mariah Looney, Todd Bruce, and Jeffrey Caudill for Edward Hard.
Guests present were Todd Plain and Sandy Adams Jr.
3. Public Comment – An opportunity for the members of the public to address the Committee regarding items not on the agenda
Todd Plain from the Bureau of Reclamation Bay-Delta Office provided news about upcoming geotechnical investigations at the Delta Cross Channel Gates that will occur mid-August through late September on weekdays.
DPC Information Officer Holly Heyser commented that she will be providing closure updates in Delta Happenings.
4. Approve June 4, 2024, meeting minutes – The Committee
Vice Chair Ryan moved, and Member Pellarin seconded a motion to approve the June 4, 2024, Meeting Minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
5. Update on Delta Protection Commission Activities – Bruce Blodgett
Blodgett announced the recruitment in progress for a Senior Environmental Planner and a part-time limited-term position to assist with NHA activities. He touched on the updated marketing plan for the NHA to request additional staffing as well. He then spoke on the need for DPAC to plan a Delta Cleanup for next year in September in coordination with the annual Coastal Cleanup.
Chair Swensen asked for public comments and there were none.
6. Announcement on NHA Advisory Committee application period – Blake Roberts
Roberts spoke on the need to reorganize the NHA Advisory Committee for its transition from planning to implementation of the management plan. The new charter was approved at the July Commission meeting and will serve as the committee’s constitution. The recruitment and application process is now underway to fill the twelve public seats as well as alternates for each seat. The application deadline is August 16. The first NHA meeting is scheduled for October 31 at the Oakley Recreation Center.
Roberts then brought up the Delta Heritage Forum to be held November 15 at the Antioch Historical Museum. His hope is to get all feedback by August 15 for speaker and storyteller suggestions, or on any heritage-related materials that organizations would like to have included.
Lastly, he provided an overview of the Passport Program, which currently includes twenty-two potential sites, with plans to expand to additional locations throughout the region. He noted that many National Heritage Areas have Passport programs, and this national connection will help promote tourism.
Chair Swensen asked for public comments and there were none.
7. Discussion of McDonald Island Hydrogen Storage project – Mike Aviña
Aviña presented on the feasibility study for hydrogen storage on McDonald Island, a large agricultural area in western San Joaquin County. In June, Eric Alvarez from PG&E requested a letter of support for their grant application to the California Energy Commission, in partnership with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Stanford University, to explore hydrogen storage as a carbon-neutral energy source. PG&E already has a gas storage facility and pumping station on the site, so initial geotechnical investigations will be done to figure out if it is feasible to store hydrogen as opposed to natural gas at this location. The DPC declined to provide a letter of support due to the early stage of the project and without having input from the Commission. However, Aviña will continue monitoring its development.
There was discussion on the permitting process and the long-term nature of the project. Aviña noted that permitting would occur at a later stage if the project advances beyond the feasibility phase. Concerns were also raised about safety and its impact on the Delta. Aviña proposed inviting Eric Alvarez to speak at a future meeting to address the Committee’s questions and environmental concerns and offered to share Alvarez’s contact information with the group.
Chair Swensen asked for public comments and there were none.
8. Coastal Cleanup Day – Virginia Gardiner
Gardiner reported on the counterpart to the annual Coastal Cleanup event, the Delta Waterways Cleanup, which focuses on Delta county locations. It had been sponsored by the DPC for fifteen years before being shifted to the Delta Conservancy in 2022. She suggested DPAC consider organizing next year’s efforts to revive the Commission’s involvement.
Chair Swensen suggested forming a subcommittee which was then discussed with Blodgett. She decided instead to make Coastal Cleanup a standing DPAC agenda item.
Chair Swensen asked for public comments and there were none.
Member Pappalardo moved, and Member Looney seconded a motion, to take Coastal Cleanup to the Commission and have it as a standing DPAC agenda item. The motion passed unanimously.
9. Possible DPAC memorial seat – Anna Swenson
Chair Swensen proposed to create a memorial seat in honor of Gerry Goodie, recognizing his active involvement and positive contributions to the Committee. She commented the Delta General Public Gerry Goodie Memorial Seat was to be a source of inspiration.
Chair Swensen asked for public comments and there were none.
Member Looney moved, and Vice Chair Ryan seconded a motion, to approve the Delta General Public Gerry Goodie Memorial Seat. The motion passed unanimously.
10. Member Announcements and Next Meeting
Member Wiley announced the Summer Concert Series through the end of September at Wimpy’s Marina.
Member Swinney announced the Longfin Smelt will be added to the Federal Endangered Species List effective August 29.
Member Chappell announced September 7 is California Biodiversity Day. California Natural Resource Agency will be doing several events during that week of September 7.
Chair Swensen spoke on the upcoming opportunity in January for members of the public to speak in front of the Water Board concerning the Conveyance Project.
Blodgett shared that the next DPAC meeting will be October 1, location to be determined.
11. Adjourn
Chair Swenson adjourned the meeting at 6:36 p.m.