Elizabeth Brusati

The Council held a multi-day hearing regarding appeals of the Department of Water Resources' certification of consistency for the Delta Conveyance Project. The discussion involved presentations from various appellants, including the Delta Protection Commission, local water agencies, counties, cities, and environmental groups. Council members questioned representatives regarding topics such as best available science, mitigation measures, data modeling, invasive species, climate change, and the project's impact on Delta resources and communities. The meeting also addressed the concept of 'Delta as a Place' and public comments regarding the project's construction and environmental effects.

The Lead Scientist's Report detailed several key items. Discussions included an article from Marine Ecology Progress Series investigating how estuarine habitat supports fish nurseries in the Suisun Marsh, focusing on four species: Sacramento splittail, tule perch, starry flounder, and non-native striped bass. The report emphasized the need for a mosaic of connected habitats for effective restoration. Updates were provided on the Science Needs Assessment discussion series, noting that two pre-workshop virtual discussions had occurred, with future sessions scheduled to address climate change impacts, management questions, science governance, funding, and integration. Additionally, upcoming events included a Spring-Run Chinook Salmon Science Workshop in September to assess the state of science regarding population estimates. The report concluded with a summary of current environmental management figures in the 'By the Numbers' section.

The meeting agenda included introductions by Restoration Subcommittee members and discussion regarding the summary of the previous meeting held on August 29, 2022. Key discussion items involved a panel presentation and discussion focusing on strategies for overcoming implementation challenges across the Delta and San Francisco Estuary, referencing specific programs such as the Yolo Habitat Conservation Plan, the Bay Restoration Regulatory Integration Team (BRRIT), the California Department of Water Resources' Fish Restoration Program, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Regulatory Program. Furthermore, subcommittee members were scheduled to prioritize the Restoration Subcommittee Workplan through an interactive activity, followed by general business and remarks.

The Adaptive Management Forum commenced with opening remarks welcoming attendees and acknowledging adjustments due to a federal shutdown impacting attendees. The discussion heavily focused on the history and importance of adaptive management in the Delta, tracing its origins back to the 2008 Delta Vision task force and its subsequent codification in the Delta Reform Act. Key topics included the goal of building community capacity for effective adaptive management, showcasing progress in habitat restoration (over 12,000 acres restored since 2007), and the submission of Adaptive Management Plans from over 40 projects. The forum outlined the council's support mechanisms for adaptive management, such as consultations, working groups, science synthesis, and organizing events like this forum. The theoretical framework of the nine-step adaptive management wheel and its practical, often 'messier,' application were explored, emphasizing its role in navigating uncertainty related to climate change and regulations. The agenda for the day featured a keynote presentation on how law can enable adaptive management through case studies in land use permitting, energy development, and wetland mitigation.

This document presents the 2025 Year in Review of the Delta Plan's performance measures, assessing progress against its strategic goals. Key focus areas include Delta ecosystem restoration, achieving the salmon doubling goal, controlling nonnative invasive species, and encouraging Delta community participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. The review highlights progress in habitat restoration but notes ongoing challenges in native species response, invasive species control, and community flood program participation, emphasizing the need for continued strategic focus and investment in underperforming areas.