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SACRAMENTO-SAN JOAQUIN DELTA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA BOUNDARY
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RECOMMENDATION
Consider a motion to forward a letter from the Cultural Heritage Board to City Council recommending that the City pursue a boundary change for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area to include Stockton.
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Summary
The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area (NHA) boundary does not include relevant portions of the City of Stockton (Attachment A). Cultural Heritage Board (CHB or Board) Chairman Groom has previously requested that the Board consider pursuing a process to amend the NHA boundary.
DISCUSSION
Background
At the September 7, 2022, Board meeting, Board members discussed the NHA and the potential benefits to the City of Stockton associated with being included within the NHA boundary. By including the portions of the City that are in and near the delta within the NHA, Stockton’s national profile would be raised. In addition, certain grant funding opportunities may arise related to historic resources, natural resources and other types of projects. Board members requested that staff follow up to prepare this agenda item in order to facilitate a recommendation to Council.
Present Situation
Following discussion from the September 7, 2022, Board meeting referenced above, staff has been working to prepare a recommendation to the Board regarding the most effective course of action. City staff communicated with staff at the State Delta Protection Commission to determine details on the process and time sensitivity of requesting a change to the NHA. The Delta Protection Commission is in fact currently preparing an NHA Management Plan for identifying policies and implementation actions for the NHA, which Commission staff expects could be approved in early 2023. However, Staff confirmed the process to request a change to the NHA requires Federal legislation approval. There is no December 2022 deadline as the request to change the NHA may be submitted at any time. The process would generally start with a federal legislator sponsoring this legislative request.
Based on the Board’s direction, Staff prepared a draft letter to the Mayor and Council, describing the Board’s interest in pursuing a change to the NHA boundary to include Stockton, and recommending that the City Council proceed accordingly (See Attachment B). Staff recommends that the Board approve the draft letter so staff can finalize the letter and direct it to the Mayor and Council.
Attachment A - Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Fact Sheet
Attachment B - Draft CHB Letter to Council Requesting Change to NHA