The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors is maintaining pressure to stop the spread of invasive golden mussels and protect the Delta.
At its August 4 meeting, the Board voted to extend the local emergency proclamation, reaffirming its commitment to addressing the growing threat.
“Battling the golden mussel infestation requires long-term commitment, resources, and cooperation across agencies and organizations,” said District Two Supervisor Paul Canepa. “We won’t stop working to protect the Delta and our communities.”
Golden mussels are an invasive, non-native species that can rapidly accumulate on and clog critical water infrastructure, threatening the systems that support San Joaquin County’s agriculture, industry, and communities.
Two-thirds of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta lies within San Joaquin County, providing drinking water, agricultural irrigation, flood protection, recreation, and economic benefits.
“This is not the time to take our foot off the gas,” said District One Supervisor Mario Gardea. “We’re working closely with our regional partners to secure funding, coordinate our response, and protect our waterways.”
The Board first proclaimed a local emergency on April 28, 2026 , which activated the Office of Emergency Services to monitor impacts on local waterways, coordinate response efforts, and advocate for State and federal assistance. The proclamation was extended on June 16, 2026.
Since then, Supervisors Gardea and Canepa have continued to elevate the issue by convening an Ad Hoc Golden Mussel Committee that includes the Port of Stockton, San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency, San Joaquin Delta Neighborhood Watch, the San Joaquin Farm Bureau, among others.
In September, Supervisors Canepa and Gardea will lead members of the Western Regional Panel on a tour of the Delta to see golden mussel infestation to highlight the region’s challenges, response efforts, and promote national advocacy to address the problem. Tis group is composed of aquatic invasive species experts, policy makers, and managers from 19 states and four provinces.
The Board will review the local emergency proclamation every 60 days until the emergency is terminated.
More information: Golden Mussels Invasion | sjready.org
