Delta Independent Science Board Correspondence
If you would like to comment on any draft Delta Independent Science Board (Delta ISB) product or provide information that could help inform the Delta ISB’s activities, you are welcome to attend a Delta ISB meeting. Additionally, written correspondence to the Delta ISB are accepted via e-mail (disb@deltacouncil.ca.gov). All written correspondence received since July 2019 are listed below. For correspondence received prior to July 2019, please e-mail archives@deltacouncil.ca.gov.
May 2025
The Delta ISB received the following public comments on its draft contaminants monitoring prospectus:
- Sacramento Area Sewer District (received 5/11/25)
- State Water Contractors and San Luis Delta Mendota Authority (received 5/12/25)
- Central Valley Clean Water Association (received 5/12/25)
- Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership (received 5/12/25)
- Delta Regional Monitoring Program (received 5/12/25)
- Martina Koller (received 5/12/25)
- Lisamarie Windham-Myers (received 5/13/25)
- Interagency Ecological Program Contaminants Project Work Team (received 5/16/25)
- Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (received 6/6/25)
The Delta ISB received the following general correspondence for its May 15, 2025, meeting:
April 2025
The Delta ISB received the following general correspondence for its April 25, 2025, meeting:
- Governor's 2024 Salmon Strategy failed to properly consult all tribes from California Water Research (received 3/20/25)
- Downscaling from California Water Research (received 3/20/25)
- Decline in precipitation in landfalling atmospheric rivers on west coast of North America from California Water Research (received 3/20/25)
- Delta Levees Investment Strategy and Clarksburg from the Delta Stewardship Council (received 4/11/25)
February 2025
The Delta ISB received the following general correspondence for its February 27, 2025, meeting:
January 2025
The Delta ISB received the following general correspondence for its January 29, 2025 meeting.
- Suggested speakers for Climate Science Symposium - Pattern Effect, climate models, & drought from California Water Research (received 12/4/24)
- Comment Letter - Draft Sacramento/Delta Bay-Delta Plan Updates from Bob Wright (received 1/10/25)
December 2024
The Delta ISB received the following correspondence for its December 3-4, 2024, meeting:
- Briefing: Trump administration plans to eradicate climate change references, restructure NOAA and NMFS, fire "Deep state" civil servants from California Water Research (received 11/8/24)
- Social network weaving for climate adapt at blog post from California Water Research (received 11/8/24)
November 2024
The Delta ISB received the following correspondence on its draft emerging climate research symposium:
- Lucy Andrews (received 10/29/24)
- Richard Norgaard (received 10/31/24)
- Todd Plain (received 11/14/24)
- California Department of Water Resources (received 11/14/24)
- Denise Colombano (received 11/14/24)
- Gonzalo Castillo (received 11/19/24)
- Morgan Chow (received 11/19/24)
- Delta Conservancy (received 11/20/24)
- Lisamarie Windham-Myers (received 11/27/24)
July 2024
The Delta ISB received the following general public correspondence for its July 11, 2024, meeting:
June 2024
The Delta ISB received the following general public correspondence for its June 21, 2024, meeting:
- Delta ISB refusing to sign off on draft Delta Plan performance measures due to lack of external review from California Water Research (received 5/22/24)
- Western NA hydroclimate could be shifting back to a wet regime. What does that mean for the Delta ecosystem? from California Water Research (received 5/22/24)
- DYK: Limitations of CALSIM model in representing reservoir operations with climate change? from California Water Research (received 5/22/24)
The Delta ISB received the following general public correspondence on its draft review, Exploring scientific and management implications of upper trophic level food webs in the Delta
- Sam Bashevkin (received 5/21/24)
- California Department of Water Resources (received 5/28/24)
- Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy (received 6/12/24)
- Steve Culberson (received 6/13/24)
- Sacramento Area Sewer District (received 6/13/24)
- San Joaquin Audubon Society (received 6/13/24)
May 2024
The Delta ISB received the following general public correspondence for its May 22, 2024, meeting:
- Stefan Rahmstorf on the risk of reaching a tipping point for the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation from California Water Research (received 4/30/2024)
- Delta ISB Food-webs Review feedback from Sam Bashevkin (received 5/21/2024)
April 2024
The Delta ISB received the following general public correspondence for its April 22, 2024, meeting:
March 2024
The Delta ISB received the following general public correspondence for its March 22, 2024, meeting:
- CMIP5 models project wetter trends than observed in western US from California Water Research (received 2/21/24)
- Concerns expressed by Delta local flood agencies at August 2021 DLIS hearing from California Water Research (received 2/21/24)
- Supplemental Comments on USACE Draft EIS for the Delta Conveyance Project from Bob Wright (received 2/26/24)
October 2023
The Delta ISB received the following general public correspondence for its October 19-20 meeting:
July 2023
The Delta ISB received the following general public correspondence for it July 14, 2023 meeting:
- Re: Supplemental Comments on the Draft EIR for the Delta Conveyance Project from Bob Wright (received 6/29/23)
- Federal and state conflict of interest issues with UC Climate Action Initiative grant from California Water Research (received 7/12/23)
- Available upon request by emailing disb@deltacouncil.ca.gov
June 2023
The Delta ISB received the following general public correspondence for its June 14-15 2023, meeting:
- Followup on escalating flood risk w/some info on Canada / Western from California Water Research (received 5/17/23)
- Research basis for the importance of a drought scenario analysis from California Water Research (received 5/18/23)
- Solano County Water Agency (received 5/25/23)
- The Delta Science Program’s Modelling Collaboratory grant proposal and conflict of interest issues with the Delta ISB from California Water Research (received 6/13/23)
- Available upon request by emailing disb@deltacouncil.ca.gov
May 2023
The Delta ISB received the following public comments on its draft prospectus for its subsidence reversal review.
- Matt Lees (received 5/1/23)
- Tom Zuckerman (received 5/8/23)
- Dennis Baldocchi (received 5/12/23)
- Steve Culberson (received 5/25/23)
- Gilbert Cosio (received 5/31/23)
- Louise Conrad (received 5/31/23)
The Delta ISB received the following public comments on its draft prospectus for its food-webs review.
- Brett Harvey (received 5/12/23)
- Steve Culberson (received 5/25/23)
- Pacific Gold Agriculture, LLC (received 5/26/23)
- California Water Research (received 5/31/23)
The Delta ISB received the following public comments on its draft prospectus for its decision-making under deep uncertainty review.
- Law Offices of Michael A. Brodsky (received 5/16/23)
- BJ Miller (received 5/18/23)
- John Helly (received 6/22/23)
- Michael Whitehead (received 6/22/23)
- Francis Coats (received 6/22/23)
- Richard Norgaard (received 6/26/23)
- Alejo Kraus-Polk (received 6/26/23)
- Department of Water Resources (received 6/26/23)
- Brett Milligan (Appendix A) (received 6/21/23)
- Lisa Lucas (Appendix A) (received 6/21/23)
- Laurel Larsen (Appendix A) (received 6/22/23)
The Delta ISB received the following general public correspondence for it May 17, 2023, meeting:
April 2023
The Delta ISB received the following public correspondence for its April 26 meeting:
March 2023
The Delta ISB received the following public correspondence for its March 3 meeting:
- “Known unknowns” about increases in extreme events, climate dynamics, and deep uncertainty about climate model projections from California Water Research (received 2/23/23)
- Subject: USACE DEIS Legal Deficiencies--Supplemental DEIS Required from Bob Wright (received 2/22/23)
- Environmental and fishing group comments on the Scientific Basis for the VAs from California Water Research (received 2/22/23)
- Request for State Board Action to Ensure Compliance with the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan and Decision 1641 in February (Delta Outflow Objective: Port Chicago X2) (received 2/22/23)
- Public Comments at Today's Delta ISB Meeting from Tuolumne River Trust (received 2/16/23)
- Delta Tunnel Project from Penelope Lepome (received 2/15/23)
- Comments on Delta Conveyance EIS and Voluntary Agreements (Agenda item 3 and 4) from Karen Jacques (received 2/15/23)
- Public Comment: Delta Independent Science Board Meeting - Agenda Item 3 & 4 from Lionel Mares (received 2/15/23)
- Comment for Delta ISB Meeting, Agenda Item 4 from Jo Coffey (received 2/14/23)
February 2023
The Delta ISB received the following public correspondence for its February 15, 2023 meeting.
- Public Notice regarding SPK-2019-00899, Application, Delta Conveyance from California Water Research (received 1/19/23)
- Comments for Feb 15th Meeting on the Delta Conveyance from Samantha Smith (received 2/11/23)
January 2023
The Delta ISB received the following public correspondence for its January 19, 2023, meeting.
- Untitled Public Comment Letter from California Water Research (received 12/8/22)
- Co-production of knowledge -- AGU session & research paper from California Water Research (received 12/8/22)
- Information on Long Covid and cognitive impairment from California Water Research (received 12/22/22)
- The Delta Conveyance Project is NOT a solution to drought and climate change from various individuals
- Available upon request by emailing disb@deltacouncil.ca.gov
September 2022
The Delta ISB received the following public correspondence for its September 15, 2022 meeting.
- 2022 Draft EIR Links from Osha Meserve to the Delta Independent Science Board (received 8/11/2022)
- California Water Research Blog Posts and Technical Information on the Delta Conveyance Project (received 9/9/12)
- Matt Conover provide an oral comment on 9/12 to staff for the Delta ISB to review the Huang and Swain (2022) article, as the Delta ISB completes the Delta Conveyance Project EIR Review.
- The Delta Conveyance Project is NOT a solution to drought and climate change from various individuals
- Available upon request by emailing disb@deltacouncil.ca.gov
August 2022
The Delta ISB received the following public correspondence for its August 11-12, 2022 meeting.
- Blog post: The eye of the storm and the State Water Resources Control Board from California Water Research (received July 19, 2022)
- EIR Tunnel Review from Tom Zuckerman (received July 19, 2022)
- Please clarify the peer review process for the design and proposed operations of the Delta Conveyance project from California Water Research (received July 25, 2022)
- Re: Best Available Science for “Delta as Place” Considerations in Delta Conveyance Project EIR from the Delta Protection Commision (received August 6, 2020)
- Attachment from the Delta Protection Commission
- This was received in August 2020. On July 26, 2022, the Delta Protection Commission asked for this public correspondence to be re-circulated.
- Availability of DCP Engineering Product Reports and Technical Memos from California Water Research (received August 2, 2022)
- EIR Delta Conveyance from Tom Slater (received August 8, 2022)
- The Delta Conveyance Project is NOT a solution to drought and climate change from various individuals
- Available upon request by emailing disb@deltacouncil.ca.gov
July 2022
- Re: Legislature approves audit of 2021 runoff forecasts and drought preparation by DWR and the Water Board from California Water Research (received June 30, 2022)
- The Delta Conveyance Project is NOT a solution to drought and climate change from various individuals
- Available upon request by emailing disb@deltacouncil.ca.gov
May 2022
The Delta ISB received the following public correspondence for its June 8 to 9, 2022 meeting.
- Background information on conflict over Voluntary Agreement Framework from California Water Research (received 5/18/2022)
- Major California Senate proposal involving the Delta Independent Science Board and unresolved governance issues from California Water Research (received 5/25/2022)
- Re: Please provide full support for the Delta Independent Science Board in this year’s budget negotiations (received 5/31/2022)
- JUNE 2: Budgeting for Climate Resilience in California w/ Senator Bob Wieckowski from California Water Research (received 6/1/2022)
- The Delta Conveyance Project is NOT a solution to drought and climate change from various individual (received 6/6 to 6/7/2022)
April 2022
The Delta ISB received the following public correspondence for its April 8, 2022, meeting:
- Re: Comments on presentations at March 10, 2022 meeting from California Water Research (received 3/18/22)
- Re: Statutory and Constitutional Transparency Requirements from California Water Research (received 4/5/22)
- Re: Delta Independent Science Board coordination and administration from California Water Research (received 4/6/22)
March 2022
The Delta ISB received the following public correspondence for its March 9-10, 2022, meeting:
- Bill introduced to mandate DSC do annual water supply reliability estimation for Delta flows from California Water Research (received 2/24/22)
- Re: Assessment of the Value and Impact of the Delta ISB from California Water Research (received 3/9/22)
February 2022
The Delta ISB received the following public correspondence for its February 11, 2022 meeting:
- Current controversy over operations of the State Water Project and the Central Valley Project (received 1/12/2022)
- Comments on 1/13 Delta ISB presentations from Tom Zuckerman
- Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR): Integrated Climate Adaptation & Resiliency Program (ICARP) Updates from California Water Research (received 1/14/22)
- Sharing SCC's White Paper on Alternatives to the DCP California Water Research (received 1/19/22)
- Network weaving in the DPIIC Restoration Subcommittee efforts
December 2021
Prior to the Delta ISB’s December 2021 meeting, the Delta ISB received the following public correspondence:
- Comments on Integrated conceptual models of the Delta ecosystem from California Water Research (received 11/16/2021)
- Comments from the Review of the Monitoring Enterprise in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta from the Delta Protection Commission (received 11/18/2021)
November 2021
Prior to the Delta ISB’s November 15-16 meeting, the Delta ISB received the following correspondence:
- ISB from Francis Coats (received on 10/31/2021)
- Notes from California Delegation briefing from COP26 from California Water Research (received 11/15/2021)
In addition, the Delta ISB received the following public correspondence on its monitoring enterprise review (dated 10/12/2021):
- Steve Culberson (received 11/9/2021)
- Stacy Sherman (received 11/12/2021)
- Regional San (received 11/12/2021)
- State Water Contractors (received 11/12/2021)
October 2021
Prior to the Delta ISB’s October 19, 2021 meeting, the Delta ISB received the following correspondence:
- Letter to Delta ISB members re SB 821 and next steps from California Water Research (received 10/13/2021)
- Data on recreational users of the delta from Francis Coats (received 10/13/2021)
In addition, the Delta ISB received the following public correspondence on its water supply reliability review (dated 9/1/2021):
- Richard Norgaard (received 10/8/2021)
- Ben Bray (received 10/13/2021)
- Thomas Zuckerman (Central Delta Water Agency) (received 10/14/2021)
- Central Delta Water Agency (received 10/15/2021)
- Attachment 1: Recommendations for an Effective Water Change
- Attachment 2: Delta Water Facilities
- Both attachments available upon request by emailing disb@deltacouncil.ca.gov
- Westlands Water District (received 10/15/2021)
- State Water Contractors (received 10/15/2021)
- Attachment: Table of Comments
- Available upon request by emailing disb@deltacouncil.ca.gov
- Attachment: Table of Comments
- California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, California Water Impact Network, Aqualliance, and California Water Research (received 10/15/2021)
September 2021
Prior to the Delta ISB’s September 16, 2021, meeting, the Delta ISB received the following public correspondence:
- The ISB Monitoring Enterprise Review from the Coalition for a Sustainable Delta (received August 26, 2021)
- On scientific confluence and the challenges of avoiding a ghastly future in California water from California Water Research (received September 15, 2021)
- Thank you for Your Service from Heinrich Albert (received September 16, 2021)
August 2021
Prior to the Delta ISB’s August 20, 2021 meeting, the Delta ISB received the following public correspondence:
- Re: SB 821 (Committee on Natural Resources and Water): Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: Delta Independent Science Board – REQUEST FOR SIGNATURE from the Delta Counties Coalition (received July 14, 2021)
- July 28-30: White House Listening Sessions on Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking from California Water Research (received July 24, 2021)
- Update: Delta Protection Commission vote on SB 821 position, Water Board Chair expresses support, comments to White House listening session from California Water Research (received August 4, 2021)
- Transcripts for the Delta Protection Commission and State Water Resources Control Board Posted from California Water Research (received August 17, 2021)
July 2021
Prior to the Delta ISB’s July 13, 2021 meeting, the Delta ISB received the following public correspondence:
- “Blog post: Discussion of Delta ISB situation at June 24, 2021 DSC Meeting” from California Water Research (received June 29, 2021)
- “Public comments at 6/24/21 Delta Stewardship Council meeting regarding DISB funding” from Regional San
- SB 821 amended to increase compensation & add urgency clause from California Water Research
June 2021
Prior to the Delta ISB’s June 17, 2021 meeting, California Water Research submitted the following letter:
April 2021
Prior to the Delta ISB’s April 16, 2021 meeting, California Water Research submitted the following letter:
In addition, California Water Research provide copies of position letters submitted to the California State Senate Natural Resources Committee on Senate Bill 821 (available upon request by emailing: disb@deltacouncil.ca.gov):
- Re: SB 821 (Natural Resources Committee) -- Amendments to Delta Independent Science Board Authorizing Statute (Wat. Code §85280) – CHANGE POSITION TO SUPPORT (dated 4/7/21)
- Re: SB 821 (Natural Resources Committee) -- Amendments to Delta Independent Science Board Authorizing Statute (Wat. Code §85280) -- OPPOSE UNLESS AMENDED (dated 4/2/21)
August 2020
Ecosystems (Non-native Species) Review
On July 14, 2020, the Delta ISB released a draft report on its ecosystems review, titled “The Science of Non-native Species in a Dynamic Delta” for public comments, which were due on August 24, 2020. The following public comment letters were received:
- Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District (received 8/20/2020)
- Attachment: Bauer, Marissa. 2010. An Ecosystem Model of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Bay, California USA. Master’s Thesis, California State University, Chico (Available upon request by emailing disb@deltacouncil.ca.gov)
- Bob Peoples (received 8/24/2020)
Delta Conveyance Project
On April 17, 2020, the Delta ISB submitted a comment letter to DWR on the Notice of Preparation for the Delta Conveyance Project to inform DWR on its intent to review the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Public comments received on this topic are below.
March 2020
Delta Science During Rapid Environmental Change
The Delta ISB received the following public comment letter on its draft discussion paper (dated 11/25/19) and its draft summary memo (dated 3/15/20) on ecology during rapid environmental change:
July 2019
Interagency Ecological Program Review
The Delta ISB received the following public comments on its draft review of the Interagency Ecological Program (dated 6/14/19):
- Interagency Ecological Program Lead Scientist (received 7/17/19)
- State Water Contractors (received 7/26/19)