Delta Protection Advisory Committee

    The Delta Protection Advisory Committee (DPAC) provides recommendations to the Delta Protection Commission on diverse interests within the Delta, including the Delta’s ecosystem, water supply, socioeconomic sustainability, recreation, agriculture, flood control, environment, water resources, utility infrastructure, and other Delta issues. This fifteen-member committee is appointed by the Commission and meets regularly; members serve three-year terms and may be re-appointed. Meetings are open to the public and everyone’s input is welcome.

    The Committee was created by the Delta Protection Act, Public Resources Code Section 29753(a). This is its Charter (PDF).

    You can see the Committee’s meeting schedule here.

    DPAC Members

    Term expiration years are in parentheses; all terms expire in May of the given year.

    Delta General Public:

    • Seat 1: Anna Swenson (Chair), Clarksburg (2025)
    • Seat 2 – Gerry Goodie Memorial seat: Katie Wiley, owner of Wiley Marketing & Design (2027)

    Delta Water Exporter: Russ Ryan (Vice Chair), Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (2025)

    Delta Agriculture:

    • Seat 1: Gary Mello, J&L Mello Farm Equipment, RD 563 (Tyler Island) (2026)
    • Seat 2: Craig Watanabe, Mandeville Island/CCRC Farms (2027)

    Delta Business:

    • Seat 2: Emily Pappalardo, principal engineer and partner in DCC Engineering Co. Inc. in Walnut Grove (2027)
    • Seat 1: Arron Pellarin, Village West Marina in Stockton (2025)

    Delta Conservation/Habitat Non-governmental Organization: Jim Cox, CA Striped Bass Association (2025)

    Delta Cultural Preservation: Douglas Hsia, Locke Foundation (2027)

    Delta Flood Entity: Chris Elias, San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency/CA Central Valley Flood Control Association (2025)

    Delta Organization: Mariah Looney, Restore the Delta (2026)

    Delta Recreation:

    • Seat 1: Todd Bruce, Delta Recreationist (2026)
    • Seat 2: Morris Lum, Recreational Boaters of CA (2027)

    Delta Utility/Infrastructure: Sam Garcia, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (2026)

    Delta Tribe: Steven Hutchason, Wilton Rancheria (2027)

    State Agency:

    • Seat 2: Erin Chappell, California Department of Fish and Wildlife (2027)
    • Seat 1: Edward Hard, California Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating and Waterways (2026)

    Ex-Officio Members

    Heather Swinney, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
    Jessica Fischer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
    Mario Manzo, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
    Jeff Henderson, Delta Stewardship Council
    Campbell Ingram, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy

    For more information contact Interim Executive Director Dan Ray.

    If you are interested in receiving updates, join our mailing list.