Archive for the ‘Delta & Environment’ Category

Free Compost Giveaway for Antioch residents April 18

Thursday, March 12th, 2026

At the Contra Costa Event Park (County Fairgrounds); appointments required

By City of Antioch

By City of Antioch & Republic Services

Mark your calendar for Antioch’s Compost Giveaway on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. provided by Republic Services.

Contra Costa Event Park (County Fairgrounds) – Back Lot

1201 W. 10th Street, Antioch (Behind 1203 W. 10th Street)

Upon arriving, please follow the signs to enter from the entrance on W. 10th Street to W. 18th Street. Please DO NOT enter via O St.

  • Appointments are required
  • Antioch residents only
  • Bring a driver’s license with an Antioch address
  • Bring a shovel, your containers, gloves if you can, and wear closed-toe shoes. Masks (optional).
  • You will have approx. 10-15 minutes to fill the containers you bring (40 gallons max.) 8 x 5-gal. buckets work best. No bags please. We will have some staff on hand to help.

This is a great opportunity to pick up free compost for your garden while supporting sustainable waste practices in our community.

Happy Gardening!

Sign up here: Republic Services Compost Giveaway.

MTC, ABAG release proposed final Plan Bay Area 2050+

Tuesday, March 10th, 2026
Source: Plan Bay Area

Proposed Plan for housing, transportation, the economy and environment in the nine counties will go to committee for review on Friday, March 13

Offers strategies, investments and outcomes for Contra Costa County

By John Goodwin, Assistant Director of Communications & Leslie Lara-Enríquez Assistant Director, Public Engagement, Metropolitan Transportation Commission

After nearly three years of public discussion, technical analysis and refinement, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area Governments last Friday released the proposed final Plan Bay Area 2050+ and the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for Plan Bay Area 2050+

Plan Bay Area 2050+ is the latest long-range plan to guide growth and investment across the region’s nine counties and 101 cities. The plan seeks to advance an integrated vision for a Bay Area that is affordable, connected, diverse, healthy and vibrant for all by 2050. It focuses on the four areas of housing, transportation, the economy and environment.

The Contra Costa Centre Transit Village. Photo credit: Karl Nielsen

The plan and its related reports will be presented for review and consideration at a joint meeting of the MTC Planning Committee with the ABAG Administrative Committee on Friday, March 13, before the documents are referred to their respective approving bodies. The ABAG Executive Board will consider certification of the Final EIR and adoption of the final plan at its March 19 meeting. At its March 25 meeting, MTC will consider certifying the Final EIR and adopting the final plan, as well as adopting the accompanying Air Quality Conformity Analysis and an amendment to the 2025 Transportation Improvement Program. 

The release of the proposed final Plan Bay Area 2050+ follows a 59-day public comment period for the Draft Plan and the Draft EIR that closed on December 18, 2025. The proposed final plan and Final EIR have been updated to reflect feedback received during the public comment period.

The map above shows Contra Costa County’s Growth Geographies, which are areas identified in Plan Bay Area 2050+ to help guide future housing and job growth. These areas are designated by local jurisdictions or based on their proximity to transit and access to opportunity. Source: MTG/ABAG

The Plan includes Partner Resources: Regional Tools for Local Action that local jurisdictions and partner agencies can use to develop plans, seek funding and take action to make a better Bay Area. It offers a fact sheet for each county, including Contra Costa, which spotlights strategies, investments and outcomes.

Plan Bay Area 2050+ is the latest long-range regional plan for the nine-county Bay Area. The plan lays out a series of funding and policy strategies that can create a more affordable, connected, diverse, healthy and vibrant future for all Bay Area residents in 2050. Unique to this plan cycle is the parallel Transit 2050+ planning effort, which culminated in the first-of-its-kind plan to re-envision the future of Bay Area public transit, in partnership with transit agencies across the region.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Contra Costa County seeks members for Solid Waste Local Enforcement Agency Independent Hearing Panel

Monday, February 9th, 2026

Application Deadline: March 6

By Contra Costa County Office of Communications & Media

(Martinez, CA) – In 2013, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors established an Independent Hearing Panel for the Contra Costa Solid Waste Local Enforcement Agency (LEA).

Contra Costa Health’s Environmental Health Program is certified by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) as the LEA for Solid Waste in the county. The LEA ensures that all solid waste disposal facilities and medical waste generators comply with applicable local, state and federal codes and regulations.

The three-member panel hears matters related to solid waste enforcement, permits and appeals.

County residents who have an interest in public policy and solid waste management are encouraged to apply for this volunteer opportunity.  Panelists receive a stipend of $50 on those days on which the panel meets.  The County Board of Supervisors will appoint to fill three vacancies for a four-year term ending on March 31, 2030.

Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655-2000 or by visiting the County webpage at: https://contra-costa.granicus.com/boards/forms/321/apply/

Applications should be returned to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, County Administration Building, 1025 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA  94553 no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026.  Applicants should plan to be available for public interviews via video conference on Monday, March 23, 2026.

For more information about the LEA Independent Hearing Panel, contact Tim Kraus, Contra Costa County Environmental Health, at (925) 608-5549 or Tim.Kraus@cchealth.org.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

MTC, ABAG release draft of new long-range plan for Bay Area

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025
Source: Plan Bay Area

Public comment through Dec. 18 on Draft Plan Bay Area 2050+, EIR for housing, transportation, economic development and the environment

East Bay Webinar Nov. 5

By Veronica Cummings, Principal Public Information Officer, Engagement & John Goodwin, Assistant Director of Communications, Metropolitan Transportation Commission 

After more than two years of public discussion, technical analyses and refinement, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) today released Draft Plan Bay Area 2050+ and the Plan Bay Area 2050+ Draft Environmental Impact Report for public review and comment.

Draft Plan Bay Area 2050+ charts a course for the future of the Bay Area over the next 25 years. Designed to guide growth and investment across the region’s nine counties and 101 cities, the latest plan aims to advance an integrated vision for a Bay Area that is affordable, connected, diverse, healthy and vibrant for all. The plan contains 35 strategies for public policies and investments that can be implemented to help the Bay Area build more homes, reduce commute times, and create vibrant downtowns and natural areas for everyone to enjoy. These strategies also aim to keep people safe from natural hazards, support a strong economy and provide stable housing.

Unique to this plan cycle is Transit 2050+, a parallel and first-of-its-kind planning effort conducted by MTC and ABAG in partnership with Bay Area transit agencies to re-envision the future of Bay Area public transit.

Plan Bay Area includes all nine Bay Area counties and 101 cities. Source: Plan Bay Area

MTC and ABAG have scheduled a series of webinars and public hearings for comment on Draft Plan Bay Area 2050+ and associated supplemental reports, as well as on the Draft Environmental Impact Report for Plan Bay Area 2050+. All interested people, agencies and other organizations are encouraged to attend a webinar or public hearing, where they can ask questions and offer comments on these documents. Full event details are listed below:

  • Webinar #1 — North Bay 
    Wednesday, October 29, 2025 
    12-1:30 p.m. 
    Zoom link: https://bit.ly/northbaywebinar 
  • Webinar ID: 892 3077 8001 
  • Passcode: 256814 
  • 888-788-0099 US Toll Free   
  • Webinar #2 — West Bay 
    Wednesday, October 29, 2025 
    6-7:30 p.m. 
    Zoom link: https://bit.ly/westbaywebinar 
    Webinar ID: 831 4140 5598 
    Passcode: 096944 
    888-788-0099 US Toll Free   
  • Webinar #3 — South Bay 
    Thursday, October 30, 2025 
    6-7:30 p.m. 
    Zoom link: https://bit.ly/southbaywebinar    
    Webinar ID: 822 2561 7467 
    Passcode: 356845 
    888-788-0099 US Toll Free   
  • Webinar #4 — East Bay 
    Wednesday, November 5, 2025 
    6-7:30 p.m. 
    Zoom link: https://bit.ly/eastbaywebinar  
    Webinar ID: 869 8283 4999 
    Passcode: 682098 
    888-788-0099 US Toll Free 

In addition to these webinars, MTC and ABAG will host three public hearings around the Bay Area to provide opportunities for all interested agencies, organizations and individuals to comment on the Draft Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Report. The full list of hearings is as follows: 

  • Public Hearing #2 — Fremont  
    Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 6 p.m. 
    Olive Hyde Art Center and Gallery -or- Zoom 
    123 Washington Boulevard, Fremont 
    Zoom link: https://bit.ly/drafthearing2  
    Webinar ID: 875 7625 3306 
    Passcode: 178983 
    888 788 0099 US Toll Free 
  • Public Hearing #3 — Novato  
    Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 6 p.m. 
    Best Western Plus Novato Oaks Inn -or- Zoom 
    215 Alameda del Prado, Novato 
    Zoom link: https://bit.ly/drafthearing3  
    Webinar ID: 898 0347 9624 
  • Passcode: 129009 
  • 888 788 0099 US Toll Free 

Interested Bay Area residents, agencies and organizations also are encouraged to view and comment on the draft plan online at planbayarea.org/draftplan. Comments will be reviewed by officials from both ABAG and MTC as they consider the adoption of Final Plan Bay Area 2050+, slated for early 2026.

Written comments will be accepted via mail to MTC Public Information Office, Attn: Plan Bay Area -or- Draft EIR Comments, 375 Beale Street, Suite 800, San Francisco, CA, 94105; or via email (Draft Plan Bay Area 2050+ inbox: info@planbayarea.org; Draft EIR inbox: eircomments@bayareametro.gov). Comments by phone can made at (415) 778-2292.

The comment period for all documents will close Dec. 18, 2025, at 5 p.m. 

Questions? Visit planbayarea.org, email info@planbayarea.org or call (415) 778-6757. 

Accessible Meetings 

Do you need an interpreter or any other assistance to participate? Please call (415) 778-6757. For TDD or hearing impaired, call 711, California Relay Service, or (800) 735-2929 (TTY), (800) 735-2922 (voice) and ask to be relayed to (415) 778-6700. We require at least three working days’ notice to accommodate requests.

¿Necesita un intérprete u otra asistencia para participar? Por favor llámenos con tres días de anticipación al (415) 778-6757. Para telecomunicaciones para personas sordas y discapacitadas, favor de llamar al 711, el Servicio de Retransmisión de California (CRS) para TTY/VCO/HCO a Voz o para Voz a TTY/VCO/HCO al (800) 855-3000 y pedir que lo retrasmitan al (415) 778-6700.

您是否需要口譯或任何其他協助才能參加?請致電(415)778-6757。若需使用TDD或為聽障人士人士,請致電711,加州轉接服務,或(800)735-2929(TTY),(800)735-2922(語音),然後要求轉接至(415)778-6700。請至少提前三個工作日提出申請,以便我們能為您提供適當的口譯安排。

ABAG is the council of governments and the regional planning agency for the 101 cities and towns, and nine counties of the Bay Area. MTC is the transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. 

California Coastal Cleanup Day in Antioch Sept. 20

Thursday, September 18th, 2025

Locations: Antioch Marina & Water Park

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

Do you wish to see less litter around our marina? Join the statewide “Trashure Hunt” on Saturday, September 20th as California’s more than 35,000 volunteers clean up local areas and waterways for Coastal Cleanup Day!

This year, California Coastal Cleanup Day will become the world’s largest scavenger hunt! Special “trash” items will be hidden at cleanup sites all across the state. If you find one of them, you can redeem it for valuable prizes! Register today and be part of Antioch’s group of volunteers at the Antioch Water Park and the Antioch Marina when you click the link in our bio. Let’s keep trash out of our waterways, Antioch!

California Coastal Cleanup Day

Saturday, September 20, 2025

9:00AM-12:00PM

Antioch Marina | 5 Marina Plaza, Antioch

Antioch Water Park | 4701 Lone Tree Way, Antioch

Register to be a volunteer at the Antioch Water Park or Antioch Marina when you visit antiochca.gov/coastal-cleanup or to find your nearest site, visit coastalcleanupday.org.

Sign up for Antioch Resource Recovery Ambassadors training program

Wednesday, July 9th, 2025

The City of Antioch presents Resource Recovery Ambassadors: a fun training program for all who live, work or play in Antioch to become experts in sorting discards for recycling and composting to help combat climate change! Participants can receive $75 after completing the 2-part training.

Funded in part by CalRecycle.

Upcoming Training Dates:

Online Video Training Monday August 11th, 6-8pm OR Thursday August 14th, 4-6pm

In-Person Training Saturday August 16th is FULL! (we will offer another in-person course in early 2026)

Fill out registration form: https://forms.office.com/g/Vn1Z6y81kD

DeSaulnier denounces U.S. Dep’t of Transportation’s upending electric vehicle use as “reckless”

Friday, February 7th, 2025
Rep. Mark DeSaulnier. Official photo

Rescinds National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program Guidance dated June 11, 2024, and all prior versions of this guidance

Congressman issues statement saying it, “leaves American drivers and consumers in the lurch.”

On Friday, February 7, 2025, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA10) issued the following statement after the Trump Administration suspended implementation of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program.

“The transportation sector is the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Electric vehicles (EVs) are crucial to reducing GHG emissions and curbing the existential threat of climate change while also having the potential to save drivers hundreds or even thousands of dollars in gas money annually. Given the obvious benefits of EVs, it is in everyone’s best interest to make it easier for Americans to drive them.

As a former member of the California Air Resources Board and Chairman of the transportation committees in both the California State Assembly and the California State Senate, I have seen firsthand how California’s forward-looking policies on climate change and greenhouse gas emissions drive innovation, economic growth, and job creation. That’s why I authored the Clean Corridors Act, which helped create and fund a $2.5 billion landmark new EV charging infrastructure program through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make hydrogen fuel cell and electric battery powered cars more accessible and affordable for Americans.

The decision by the Federal High Administration of the Department of Transportation to suspend approvals of State Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plans, which are required to receive NEVI funding, undoes the progress these two programs achieved, sets us back in the fight against climate change, and leaves American drivers and consumers in the lurch.

In 2024, China’s share of the global EV market grew to 76%, outpacing the U.S. in sales, and vastly surpassed the U.S. in number of public EV chargers with over 3.2 million public charge points. If the U.S. wants to be a leader in the transportation and energy sectors, we need a strong federal investment in electric vehicles and their charging infrastructure to meaningfully address climate change, help lower energy and transportation costs for Americans, and maintain global competitiveness. As a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I urge the Secretary of Transportation to reverse this myopic and reckless decision.”

In a Feb. 6, 2025, letter to State Department of Transportation Directors, Emily Biondi, Associate Administrator of the Office of Planning, Environment and Realty wrote:

“The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) administers several grant programs under which the applicable statutes require the Secretary to apportion grant funds to States under a prescribed statutory formula. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program is one such program. Most statutory formula programs require the Secretary to make the prescribed apportionments to the States on a specific date and then make the funds available for obligation. See, e.g., 23 U.S.C. 104. The NEVI Formula Program, however, is unique in that this Program requires the Secretary to approve a plan for each State describing how the State intends to use its NEVI funds.1 The State plans are to be developed in accordance with guidance the Secretary provides on how States are to strategically deploy the electric vehicle (EV) charging network.2 The NEVI Formula Program requires the Secretary to approve each State’s plan prior to the obligation of NEVI Formula Program funds for each fiscal year.3

“The new leadership of the Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) has decided to review the policies underlying the implementation of the NEVI Formula Program. Accordingly, the current NEVI Formula Program Guidance dated June 11, 2024, and all prior versions of this guidance are rescinded. The FHWA is updating the NEVI Formula Program Guidance to align with current U.S. DOT policy and priorities, including those set forth in DOT Order 2100.7, titled “Ensuring Reliance Upon Sound Economic Analysis in Department of Transportation Policies, Programs, and Activities.” The FHWA aims to have updated draft NEVI Formula Guidance published for public comment in the spring. After the public comment period has closed, FHWA will publish updated final NEVI Formula Guidance that responds to the comments received. As result of the rescission of the NEVI Formula Program Guidance, FHWA is also immediately suspending the approval of all State Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment plans for all fiscal years.

“Therefore, effective immediately, no new obligations may occur under the NEVI Formula Program until the updated final NEVI Formula Program Guidance is issued and new State plans are submitted and approved. Instructions for the submission of new State plans for all fiscal years will be included in the updated final NEVI Formula Program Guidance. Since FHWA is suspending the existing State plans, States will be held harmless for not implementing their existing plans. Until new guidance is issued, reimbursement of existing obligations will be allowed in order to not disrupt current financial commitments.”

The letter includes the following footnotes and references:

1 See National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program provisos 4-9 of paragraph (2) under the Highway Infrastructure Programs heading in Title VIII, Division J of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. 117-58; November 15, 2021; 135 Stat.1422. See also Paragraph 5c of FHWA Notice N 4510.895 Apportionment of Fiscal Year 2025 Highway Infrastructure Program Funds for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program Pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as well as Paragraph 5c of FHWA Notices N 4510.863, N 4510.873, and N 4510.883 for the apportionments for Fiscal Years 22, 23 and 24, respectively.
2 See National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program provisos 14-15 of paragraph (2) under the Highway Infrastructure Programs heading in Title VIII, Division J of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. 117- 58; November 15, 2021; 135 Stat.1423.
3 See National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program provisos 4-9 of paragraph (2) under the Highway Infrastructure Programs heading in Title VIII, Division J of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. 117-58; November 15, 2021; 135 Stat.1422. See also Paragraph 5c of FHWA Notice N 4510.895 Apportionment of Fiscal Year 2025 Highway Infrastructure Program Funds for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program Pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as well as Paragraph 5c of FHWA Notices N 4510.863, N 4510.873, and N 4510.883 for the apportionments for Fiscal Years 22, 23 and 24, respectively.

DeSaulnier represents California’s 10th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives which includes portions of Antioch.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Antioch Police Dispatchers save boater’s life on Christmas Eve

Thursday, December 26th, 2024
Photo by Antioch PD

Coordinated with multiple agencies

By Antioch Police Department

On the night of December 24, 2024, Dispatcher Autumn Turnage received a 911 call from a man whose boat had sunk near Sherman Island, leaving him stranded in the water and fearing for his life. Over the course of an intense and emotional hour-long call, Turnage demonstrated exceptional skill, composure, and compassion in ensuring the man’s survival.

Despite challenges with communication lines, Turnage remained determined, coordinating between multiple agencies, including the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol, Sacramento County, Solano County, and the Coast Guard. With the support of her partner, Dispatcher Taylor Hubbard, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, Turnage provided critical information such as GPS coordinates and location pings from the Rapid Deploy system to aid the Coast Guard in their search efforts.

Throughout the call, Turnage acted as a lifeline for the man, offering constant reassurance during moments of despair and panic. She chose to stay on the line even after transferring him to the Coast Guard, encouraging him to hold on and reminding him he wasn’t alone. At 12:02 AM on Christmas morning, the Coast Guard successfully rescued the man and brought him to safety.

Hubbard’s behind-the-scenes efforts were equally vital, as she managed radio communications, fielded additional calls, and even calmed the man’s panicked friend, ensuring no further risks were taken.

Their dedication, professionalism, and teamwork saved a life and brought hope to a family this holiday season. Antioch is proud to have these extraordinary dispatchers as part of our police department. Please join us in celebrating their heroic efforts!