Save the California Delta Alliance (STCDA)

In July, we submitted comments regarding the Delta Islands project (officially SPK-1901-09804, SDEIS Delta Wetlands Project, San Joaquin & Contra Costa Counties, CA) which proposed converting two Delta Islands into wetlands habitat areas (Holland Tract and Bouldin Island), and converting two Delta Islands into reservoir islands (Bacon Island just west of Mildred Island and Webb Tract north of there). The latter two are on the tunnel route, so helps them pre-purchase some farmland without going the eminent domain route. I opposed the plan for many reasons:

1. The plan supports the Delta Tunnels
2. The reservoir islands, to be useful during drought years, would likely raise the need for more dams, like the False River Dam installed this summer
3. They will be constructing intake and discharge pumps near the South Delta anchorages of Mildred Island and “The Horseshoe,” likely to ruin the peaceful anchorages for months if not years.
4. They will be locating the docks in the main recreational ski runs near Mildred and Connection Slough, wiping out a significant portion of the recreational areas.

Here is the map showing the islands that were part of the

In addition, the plan includes habitat restoration on a small portion of Chipps island which is already owned by the southern water districts.

See more in the KQED article: Massive Delta Land Buy.