Home rule has been the mantra of the South San Joaquin Irrigation District for 103 years.

It is why the SSJID board is considering joining not only cities within their jurisdiction but agencies through San Joaquin County in pushing to make sure the Delta Stewardship Council - described by critics as the California Coastal Commission on steroids - doesn’t try to micromanage growth in the Delta’s secondary zone.

That secondary zone includes half of Stockton, Lathrop, parts of southwest Manteca and almost half of San Joaquin County. The stewardship council also may try to exert its influence on land uses on the tributaries that feed the Delta.

“The board will decide whether they want to take a position,” said SSJID General Manager Jeff Shields. “They have been pretty consistent about backing home rule.”

The general language that the stewardship council is framing their governance document around excludes farming activities within the Delta and the secondary zone from their oversight. But it includes either some or all other land use activities in the secondary zone depending upon who is translating authorization language adopted by the legislature into practical application.

Shields does intend to bring up one point when the board considers a resolution during their 9 a.m. Tuesday at the district office, 11011 East Highway 120 on whether to join the San Joaquin County Delta Initiative Coalition stakeholders’ bid to make sure the council doesn’t become too intrusive in local land use matters. That point deals with protecting water rights.

Shields notes the SSJID has historical rights on the Stanislaus River watershed. Other agencies – including those dealing with Delta water quality and fish – have eyed taking away some of those water rights in past years.