(SACRAMENTO) – On Monday, Assemblymember Timothy S. Grayson (D-Concord) announced the formation of an informal Delta Caucus by members of the California State Assembly. The caucus will serve to coordinate policy and actions related to protecting the natural and human resources of the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta ecosystem.
“The Delta is currently experiencing a slow moving crisis in terms of the environment, vital infrastructure, and beneficial human uses,” said Assemblymember Grayson. “It will take strong leadership with a singular vision to address the numerous challenges we face and bring the Delta into an era of effective, evidence-based management.”
The Delta Caucus, composed of nine Assemblymembers whose districts include portions of the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta, will work to keep their colleagues updated on the latest scientific data, economic developments, and actions taken by the state agencies responsible for the Delta, including the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, and the Delta Stewardship Council.
The Delta is the hub of California's statewide water system. About half the total river flow in the state passes through the region, from which water is exported to the San Joaquin Valley, Southern California, and portions of the Bay Area to supply nearly 3 million acres of farmland and over 23 million people in central and southern California with water.
California’s Delta consists of 57 reclaimed islands, surrounded by 1,100 miles of levees bordering 700 miles of waterways. The majority of the Delta lies within Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano and Yolo Counties. Most of its 738,000 acres are devoted to agriculture, which brings in over $500 million annually.
The rich and productive Delta ecosystem also provides habitat for more than 500 species of wildlife, including over 20 endangered species, and serves as a critical migration path for salmon and other fish traveling to and from the Pacific Ocean.
Assemblymember Timothy S. Grayson represents the 14th Assembly District which includes the communities of Clayton, Concord, Martinez, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Benicia, and Vallejo. For more information, please visit https://a15.asmdc.org/