DPAC Minutes 2024-12-03
Meeting Minutes
Delta Protection Advisory Committee
Tuesday, December 3, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
Al’s Place 13943 Main Street
Walnut Grove, CA 95690
1. Call to Order/Flag Salute – Anna Swenson, DPAC Chair
Chair Swenson called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
2. Welcome and Roll Call
A quorum was present with members Anna Swenson, Katherine Wiley, Jim Cox, Arron Pellarin, Steven Hutchason, Mariah Looney, Emily Pappalardo, Douglas Hsia, Craig Watanabe, Gary Mello, Morris Lum, Edward Hard, and Ex Officio Heather Swinney (USFWS).
Guests present were Todd Plain and Stuart Walthall.
DPC staff present were Executive Director Bruce Blodgett, Blake Roberts, Holly Heyser, Mike Aviña, and Heather McClure.
Member Erin Chappell arrived at 5:36 p.m. just before the vote on Item 5. Member Chris Elias arrived at 5:40 p.m. and Vice Chair Russ Ryan arrived at 6:01 p.m., both during Item 6.
3. Public Comment – An opportunity for members of the public to address the Committee regarding items not on the agenda
Chair Swenson asked for comments from members of the public and there were none.
4. Approval of October 1, 2024, Meeting Minutes
Member Looney moved, and Member Pellarin seconded, a motion to approve the October 1, 2024, minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
5. Approval of 2025 Meeting Schedule
Executive Director Blodgett noted that the schedule can be adjusted accordingly if any conflicts arise.
Member Pappalardo moved, and Member Mello seconded a motion to approve the 2025 meeting schedule. The motion passed unanimously.
6. Presentation on Striped Bass Slot Limit Proposal – Dr. David Ostrach
Dr. David Ostrach introduced himself as founder and former director of the UC Davis Pathobiology, Conservation, and Population Biology. He also serves as the science advisor for Allied Fishing Groups, California Striped Bass Association, NorCal Guides and Sportsman’s Association, and California Sport Protection and Fishing Alliance, representing collectively over a quarter million fishers, stakeholders and recreational fishing-related businesses. He presented on behalf of the California Striped Bass whose aim is ultimately to influence the California and Game Commission to adopt slot limits of 20 inches to 30 inches to improve the survival rate of producing females. Currently only the upper limit is supported by the CDFW.
Dr. Ostrach’s slideshow covered the history of striped bass in California, beginning with their introduction in 1874, the rationale behind the proposed slot limits, and the factors contributing to their population decline. In his conclusion, he asked for the Delta Protection Commission’s support on this initial step toward restoring the striped bass fishery.
Member Cox moved to bring this to the Commission. Member Lum seconded that motion. The motion passed unanimously with the exception of Member Chappell, who abstained from the vote.
Chair Swenson asked for any additional public comments and there were none.
7. Review of DPIIC Meeting Levee Discussions – Emily Pappalardo
Member Pappalardo provided a recap of the Delta Plan Interagency Implementation Committee (DPIIC) Autumn Gathering meeting. She explained that DPIIC consists of about 17 state and federal agencies that meet twice a year. Erin Mullin from the Delta Stewardship Council organized this meeting, which focused on levees. The discussion began with a “Levees 101” panel and the history of Delta levees, followed by topics such as levee maintenance, seismic issues, and urban levees.
She highlighted the Elk Slough Fish Passage and Flood Improvement Project, sponsored by Reclamation District 999 and the Delta Conservancy, which aims to reintroduce Sacramento River water into Elk Slough to improve fish passage.
Pappalardo also discussed two key aspects of Delta levee funding: Subventions, which support annual maintenance and minor improvements, and Special Projects, which fund larger initiatives that can make a significant impact. She provided examples of such projects, including riparian and wetland benches, erosion control measures, and seismic resilience efforts.
Chair Swenson asked for public comments and there were none.
8. Quiet Waters – The Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta – Rich Turner
Photographer and publisher Rich Turner shared a slideshow of his current work in progress, Quiet Waters, which includes a 240-page book and an exhibit planned to tour California museums and libraries for at least three years. This project chronicles the Delta region not only as a place of beauty, a haven for wildlife, a vital food source, but also as a vibrant community seen through the perspectives of its residents. The book will also feature essays from experts on Delta issues and heritage. Turner stated that to protect the Delta, he would first show people what it is. He estimates it will take a year to complete the book and is seeking input on what to include.
Chair Swenson asked for public comments and there were none.
9. Update on Delta Protection Commission activities – Bruce Blodgett
Executive Director Blodgett provided updates on several Commission activities, beginning with two positions – the Senior Environmental Planner and the NHA Information Officer – which are expected to be filled by the end of January.
He reported that the Delta Leadership Program received 23 quality applicants, with selections to be decided in a meeting the following day with DPC Chair Diane Burgis, Delta Leadership Foundation (DLF) President Mike Campbell, DLF Secretary Erik Vink, and himself.
Blodgett announced the very first event to be held at the newly renovated Clarksburg Schoolhouse will be the NHA Advisory Committee meeting on December 6 at 10 a.m.
Chair Swenson asked for public comments and there were none. 
10. Delta Waterways Cleanup – The Committee
Chair Swenson announced that plans for this year’s cleanup in September should commence at the February meeting and encouraged everyone to start thinking of ideas.
11. Member Announcements and Next Meeting
Member Pappalardo announced a Metropolitan Water District One Water (and Stewardship) Committee meeting on December 9, which would allow opportunity for public comments regarding the Delta Conveyance Project.
Member Wiley emphasized the need to support all Delta businesses throughout the winter months, because business is extremely slow this time of year.
Member Chappell announced that CDFW’s website now has a centralized reporting function for submitting any detection of the Golden Mussel. This will help to document its spread, and this data will be shared with state and federal partners, including CDFA and State Parks. She stressed the need to be mindful particularly when moving boats to other bodies of water.
Chair Swenson shared that the next DPAC meeting will be held on February 4 with the location to be determined.
12. Adjourn
Chair Swenson adjourned the meeting at 6:54 p.m.