The last completed recreation opportunity was in 2020.

The Measure

Recreation opportunities increase throughout the Delta and Suisun Marsh. 

  • Expectations

    Implemented recreation opportunities in the Delta and Suisun Marsh identified in the California State Parks Recreation Proposal.

  • Performance Metrics

    • Number of regional recreation proposal recommendations and outcomes in Delta and Suisun Marsh, evaluated annually.

Status of California State Parks Recreation Proposal Recommendations and Outcomes

The timeline below indicates the implementation status of California State Parks Recreation Proposal recommendations and outcomes for the Delta and Suisun Marsh listed by agencies responsible and year of completion or last update. 

Next Data Update: The status of the proposal recommendation and outcomes was updated May 2022. The next update will be, at the latest, October 2022.

  • 2020
    • Division of Boating and Waterways

      Continue providing boating facilities, including launching facilities, public visitor docks, boat-in day use and overnight facilities, vessel pump-out facilities, floating restrooms, and floating campsites.

      Rio Vista boat launch facility is starting construction in 2020-2021.

      Antioch Marina boat launch facility completed in 2019.

      Developed Collaboration Guidelines for Delta aquatic invasive species control in 2017.

      Deadline: 2020-01-01

      Status: Completed

    • Delta Protection Commission

      Coordinate completion of the Great California Delta Trail. 

      Collaborate with other agencies and nonprofits to develop recreation opportunities in ecosystem restoration areas.

      Public outreach and review of draft Master Plan in 2020.

      Delta Protection Commission adoption of Master Plan in 2021.

      For more information on current and past actions, see the factsheet

      Update (January 2022): The Delta Protection Commission adopted the Great California Delta Trail Master Plan in January 2022 which facilitates work in partnership with local trail planners and implementation across jurisdictional boundaries.

      Deadline: 2020-08-21

      Status: In Progress - On Schedule

  • 2019
    • U.S. Congress

      The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Act was established by the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation which will provide $10 million for community-based efforts to conserve the Delta’s cultural heritage and historical landmarks.

      Update (May 2022): The National Heritage Area Management Plan Advisory Committee was formed in Jan 2021 to provide recommendations on the development of the Management Plan and to seek input from diverse stakeholders. The expected term of the committee will be through successful approval of the Management Plan by the Secretary of the Interior (expected by March 2023).

      Deadline: 2020-01-01

      Status: Completed

  • 2018
    • State Lands Commission

      Develop a strategy for managing the impact of rising seas on docks and marinas in navigable waterways.

      Maintain, to the extent feasible, navigable waterways.

      Deadline: 2018-01-01

      Status: Completed

    • Delta Conservancy and California Coastal Conservancy

      Cooperate with the Delta Protection Commission to prepare an environmental and cultural education strategy for the region.

      The Delta Protection Commission completed the Delta Narratives Curriculum project for 4th graders in 2018.

      Deadline: 2020-08-21

      Status: Completed

  • 2017
    • Delta Protection Commission and Delta Conservancy

      Encourage tourism and enhance visitor services with websites, maps, and events, and support technical assistance and training for businesses.

      Collaborate with others to enhance agritourism.

      https://visitcadelta.com

      Deadline: 2017-01-01

      Status: Completed

  • 2015
    • California Department of Transportation

      Support bicycle trails with grants and technical assistance.

      Deadline: 2015-01-01

      Status: Completed

    • Delta Conservancy and California Coastal Conservancy

      Collaborate with State and local agencies including the Delta Protection Commission and businesses to promote recreation and tourism that support Delta economic sustainability.

      Deadline: 2015-01-01

      Status: Completed

  • 2013
    • Division of Boating and Waterways

      Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies on an updated marine patrol strategy for the region, a regional invasive species monitoring and prevention plan, and streamlining abandoned and derelict vessel removal.

      Focused on local levels, not regional or federal; patrol and invasive completed in 2013; vessels completed in 2010.

      Although coordination is completed, there are still many abandoned and derelict vessels in the Delta: Abandoned Vessels Map. Data for this map are from the latest surveys, conducted in 2017. Senate Bill 1065 was passed in early 2022 but await the approval of the $25 million requested for the abandoned vessel removal program.

      Deadline: 2013-01-01

      Status: Completed

  • 2012
    • State Parks

      Delta Meadows and Locke Boarding House: Complete park planning to preserve and interpret Delta natural and cultural resources and create a basecamp to explore Walnut Grove, Locke, and the Cosumnes River Preserve.

      Improvements were made as a part of a Prop 84 bond.

      Deadline: 2012-01-01

      Status: Completed

    • State Parks

      Marsh Creek State Park: On January 27, 2012, the California State Park and Recreation Commission approved the General Plan and named the new California State Historic Park, Marsh Creek State Park (formerly known as Cowell Ranch/John Marsh State Historic Park).

      Deadline: 2012-01-01

      Status: Completed

  • 2011
    • State Parks

      Brannan Island State Recreation Area: Maintain as a basecamp to explore the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, including Franks Tract SRA, and public lands on Twitchell, Sherman, Lower Sherman, and Decker Islands.

      Update (March 2022): Effective April 1, 2022, this park unit is temporarily closed and not accepting reservations until further notice. State Parks is actively seeking a new park operator. Affected reservation holders will be contacted by the state’s reservation system – ReserveCalifornia.com – via email and provided with a refund. Reservation cancellations and refunds will be automatic.

      Deadline: 2011-01-01

      Status: Abandoned

    • State Parks

      Barker Slough: Partner with California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Solano County, and Division of Boating and Waterways to restore wildlife habitat and develop picnic sites, trails, facilities for kayaks and other small paddlecraft, and interpretive services.

      Deadline: 2011-01-01

      Status: In Progress - Behind Schedule

    • State Parks

      California Recreational Trails System: Connect trails to existing recreation areas that provide facilities such as drinking water, campgrounds, and toilets. Increase promotional activities such as trail events and map distribution. Additional recommendations for individual trail. 

      The California Delta Heritage Corridor would link historic Delta communities, recreation areas, wildlife and fish habitats, agritourism attractions and festivals, and Delta excursion boats.

      Increase support and cooperation among public agencies for resource preservation, especially if National Heritage Area status is a possibility.

      Partner with Delta stakeholders to improve amenities for visitors, such as maps, brochures, a website, multi-lingual programs, and kiosks.

      Deadline: 2011-01-01

      Status: In Progress - On Schedule

    • Delta Conservancy and California Coastal Conservancy

      American Discovery Trail (ADT): This system of multi-use recreational trails and roads connects the San Francisco Bay Area to the American River and beyond, ultimately extending from coast to coast.

      Complete planning for and improve the ADT route through the Delta by designating or constructing traffic separated trails for hiking, bicycle, and equestrian use where feasible, and provide signage and interpretation.

      Consider using West Sacramento’s Clarksburg Branch Line Trail as ADT from West Sacramento to Clarksburg.

      Deadline: 2011-01-01

      Status: Completed

    • Delta Conservancy and California Coastal Conservancy

      Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail (MCCT): This multi-use trail connects the Mokelumne River to the San Francisco Bay Area, often along East Bay Municipal Utility District rights of way.

      Complete planning for and improve the route through the Delta by designating or constructing traffic-separated trails for multi-use where feasible, and provide signage and interpretation.

      Deadline: 2011-01-01

      Status: Completed

    • Delta Conservancy and California Coastal Conservancy

      Juan Bautista De Anza National Historic Trail (Anza): This shared-use trail and auto route traces the historic route of the Spanish pathfinder from Mexico to San Francisco, skirting the West Delta in Contra Costa County.

      State and local agencies, and the National Park Service should partner to improve signage and interpretation.

      Deadline: 2011-01-01

      Status: Completed

    • Delta Conservancy and California Coastal Conservancy

      Bay Area Ridge Trail and the San Francisco Bay Trail: Link Contra Costa and Solano counties across the Benicia-Martinez Bridge.

      Connect these popular routes to Suisun Marsh trails, Delta land and water trails, and nearby recreation lands and facilities.

      Deadline: 2011-01-01

      Status: Completed

    • Delta Conservancy and California Coastal Conservancy

      Great California Delta Trail: Cooperate with the DPC and local agencies such as East Bay Regional Park District to integrate the ADT, MCCT, Anza, and other land and water trails into this network.

      The draft Master Plan for the Great California Delta Trail is anticipated to be released for public comment on November 18, 2021. The Master Plan proposes ways to link trail systems from Sacramento to the San Francisco Bay 

      Deadline: 2020-07-15

      Status: In Progress - On Schedule

    • Delta Conservancy and California Coastal Conservancy

      Marsh Creek Trail: Complete this trail in Contra Costa County, which winds along Marsh Creek from Oakley to the state historic park at John Marsh’s home in Brentwood and East Bay Regional Park District’s Round Valley Regional Park.

      Deadline: 2011-01-01

      Status: Completed

    • Delta Conservancy and California Coastal Conservancy

      Sacramento and San Joaquin River Water Trails: Organize and promote river recreation at boat-in campsites and day-use areas at existing parks and marinas. Use guidebooks, events, and the internet.

      Collaborate with DBW, CDFW, DPC, and other organizations on the development of water trail facilities.

      Deadline: 2011-01-01

      Status: Completed

    • Delta Conservancy and California Coastal Conservancy

      San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail: Collaborate on the development of water trail interpretation at Benicia SRA to connect this trail to other proposed water trails.

      Deadline: 2011-01-01

      Status: Completed

    • Delta Conservancy and California Coastal Conservancy

      Delta/Suisun Marsh Birding Trail: Connect the region’s many Important Bird Areas (as designated by Audubon California) with an auto route.

      Partner with Delta stakeholders to connect and interpret sites such as Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, Woodbridge Ecological Reserve, Cosumnes River Preserve, Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Jepson Grasslands, Suisun Marsh, Benicia SRA, and Concord Marshes.

      Deadline: 2011-01-01

      Status: Completed

 Legend

Status completed iconCompleted

Status in progress iconIn Progress

Project Behind ScheduleProject Behind Schedule

Number of Completed Recreation Recommendations and Outcomes

This chart below shows the number of completed California State Parks Recreation Proposal recommendations and outcomes for the Delta and Suisun Marsh. 

Next Data Update: The visualization was updated May 2022 and will be updated again in October 2022. If any new recreation opportunities in the Delta are completed or updated at that time, these visualizations will be updated. *The -1 for 2022 indicated the closing of Brannan Island Recreation Area. 

Map of State Parks and Recreation Areas in and near the Delta

The Delta and Suisun Marsh region has a mix of land and water and offers diverse and authentic recreation opportunities. Many visitors and locals enjoy boating, fishing, cultural tourism, agricultural tourism, and the Delta’s natural landscapes.

To support recreation in the Delta, the California Department of Parks and Recreation developed a recreation proposal for the Delta and Suisun Marsh. The recreation proposal presents recommendations for protecting and enhancing recreational opportunities in the Delta. The recommendations include ways to invite more visitors and residents to enjoy and appreciate the Delta and Suisun Marsh region.

Implementation of these recommendations should be coordinated with funding availability and other changes in the region. Tracking the implementation of the recommendations will provide information on the enhancement of Delta recreation.

Each chapter of the Delta plan includes strategies to achieve the goals of the plan. These strategies are general guidance on achieving the objective laid out in the plan and in the Delta Reform Act of 2009. Associated with these strategies are recommendations. The recommendations describe more specific and implementable actions to support the achievement of Delta Plan strategies. Strategies may also have associated performance measures. Delta Plan performance measures track progress in achieving desired outcomes for the Delta Plan. Below are the strategies and recommendations associated with this performance measure. 

Delta Plan Strategy
  • Encourage Recreation and Tourism
Delta Plan Recommendations
  • Provide New and Protect Existing Recreation Opportunities
  • Encourage Partnerships to Support Recreation and Tourism
  • Expand State Recreation Areas
  • Enhance Nature-based Recreation
  • Promote Boating Safety
  • Encourage Recreation on Public Lands
  • Enhance Opportunities for Visitor-serving Businesses
  • Provide Public Access on Appropriately-located Delta Levees
Metric

Number of regional Recreation Proposal recommendations and outcomes implemented within the Delta and Suisun Marsh, evaluated annually.

Baseline

Measured as of the date of the regional Recreation Proposal completion in 2011.

Target

Implementation of the recommendations and outcomes put forward within the Recreation Proposal, to be achieved by 2025.


Council staff will track the status of the recommendations and outcomes detailed in the 2011 California State Parks Recreation Proposal for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Marsh.


Here are the status of each recreation proposal recommendation and outcomes without years listed by agency:

California State Parks 

Stone Lake: On this park property, continue joint management as wildlife habitat:
• Continue environmental education and interpretation programs (US Fish and Wildlife Service and environmental organizations), Complete
• Consider connecting to the California Recreational Trails System, Not Complete

Franks Tract State Recreation Area: Explore partnerships to increase boating, fishing, and hunting opportunities and enhance boating  safety, Complete

Potential Future State Parks in the Delta-Suisun Marsh Region

Elkhorn Basin: Create a basecamp by partnering with landowners on the Sacramento River to secure about 1,500 acres and restore habitat at this northern end of the Yolo Bypass. Provide campsites, picnic sites, trails, fishing, and interpretive services (land trusts, Yolo County, and others), Not complete

Wright-Elmwood Tract: Evaluate the feasibility of a new state recreation area adjoining Stockton on the 1,300-acre Wright-Elmwood Tract to provide Delta access and recreation and to restore habitat (Stockton stakeholders, CDFW), Not complete

South Delta (possibly in the Old River area): Explore the potential to create a basecamp on an upland area of about 200 acres using construction spoils, and develop picnic sites, trails, and education and interpretive services, and, when needed, campsites. Interpret a water trail connecting to the San Joaquin River (CDFW, DBW, and San Joaquin County), Not complete

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)

Incorporate recreation into proposed Bay Delta Conservation Plan restoration areas, providing boat-in campsites, floating toilets, docks, fishing piers, and other facilities where feasible, Not complete

Explore recreation potential for the Cache Slough complex. Acquire flooded islands as feasible and develop them for environmental restoration and outdoor recreation, primarily wildlife observation, boating, fishing, and hunting. Coordinate with DWR, Yolo and Solano Counties, and landowners, Not complete – Some Consideration from Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the Delta Conservancy but there has been no comprehensive or specific recreational plan for Cache Slough yet.

Investigate the addition of recreation facilities as part of an expanded San Joaquin River floodplain at Mossdale/Vernalis, Not complete

Improve environmental interpretation of wildlife areas and ecological reserves, including Yolo Bypass, Suisun Marsh/Grizzly Island and Lower Sherman Island Wildlife Areas, and Woodbridge Ecological Reserve, Not complete

Consider partnering with Suisun City, Solano Land Trust, private duck clubs, and others on an ecotourism program promoting low-carbon excursions by Amtrak from the Bay Area to Suisun Marsh, Bay, and City businesses. Collaborate with agencies, nonprofit partners, private landowners, and businesses to expand other wildlife observation, angling, and hunting opportunities where feasible, Not complete

Continue providing boating facilities, including launching facilities, public visitor docks, boat-in day use and overnight facilities, vessel pump-out facilities, floating restrooms, and floating campsites, Complete

Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW)

Develop with agencies, a regional water trail plan, Complete

California Department of Transportation (CalTrans)

Seek National Scenic Byway status for Hwy. 160. Prepare a scenic byway plan that incorporates recreation features such as improved signage and way finding, pullouts for interpretation, river access, bank fishing, and, where feasible, sidewalks and/or traffic-separated bikeways to facilitate non-motorized travel and improve regional trails. Construct these facilities in coordination with other highway improvements, Not complete

Interpret Highway 84 historic ferries and the region’s historic bridges, Not complete

Provide a roadside rest area with Delta interpretation along a scenic stretch of Interstate 5, Not complete

Department of Water Resources

Increase access to publicly-owned areas at Twitchell and Sherman Islands with signage and publicity for bank fishing areas, hunting programs, levee-top trails, and environmental education, Not complete

Consider safe recreation improvements, when feasible, at new State Water Project facilities in the Delta, such as intakes and forebays; incorporate interpretation into proposed water infrastructure, Not complete

Update the California Water Plan to encourage recreation at water management facilities, Not complete

Provide financial and technical support to Integrated Regional Water Management groups for projects that enhance recreation, Complete 

Collaborate with agencies to interpret the State Water Project and US Bureau of Reclamation water conveyance facilities such as the Delta Cross Channel, Banks Pumping Plant, Clifton Court Forebay, and Bethany Reservoir in appropriate locations, Not complete

Consider adding recreation facilities for bank fishing, windsurfing, hunting, and other appropriate activities at Clifton Court Forebay, Not complete

Consider recreation opportunities at flooded islands that cannot be reclaimed cost-effectively after disasters, Not complete

Incorporate shoreline access, trails, boat ramps, hunting opportunities, and interpretive facilities as appropriate in restoration projects at Dutch Slough, McCormack-Williamson Tract, Suisun Marsh, and other sites, Not complete

State Lands Commission

Develop a strategy for managing the impact of rising seas on public
and private docks and marinas in navigable waterways

Maintain, to the extent feasible, navigable waterways

Delta Protection Commission

Update the management plan to encourage new development to provide public access to the Delta shoreline unless 1) it is inconsistent with public safety or the protection of fragile resources, 2) adequate access exists nearby, or 3) agriculture would be adversely affected, Not complete

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