In California’s largest estuary, a complex web of environmental and social issues is unfolding, revealing stark health disparities among different racial and ethnic groups. The San Francisco Bay and its tributaries, vital food sources for many low-income immigrants and people of color, are facing severe ecological challenges that disproportionately affect these communities.
Environmental justice groups and tribes have filed a complaint with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, alleging that California’s management of the Bay-Delta water system discriminates against people of color. The complaint argues that the state’s failure to update water quality standards has allowed the ecosystem to deteriorate, with the heaviest burdens falling on Native tribes and other communities of color.
A 2021 report found that 90% of people surveyed in low-income communities of color in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region consume locally caught fish at least four times a week. This reliance on subsistence fishing exposes these populations to higher health risks due to contamination.
Studies have shown that African American, Lao, and Vietnamese anglers who fish in the Delta ingest mercury at levels far exceeding EPA recommendations. The contamination stems from various sources, including gold mining residues, industrial chemicals, and toxic algal blooms fostered by water stagnation and pollution.
Cintia Cortez of Restore the Delta emphasizes the cultural significance of clean waterways, stating, “It’s their birthright to have access to safe waterways.” Native tribes, in particular, find their efforts to reconnect with ancestral waters thwarted by declining fish populations and noxious algae.
As the state grapples with proposed water management changes, concerns grow about worsening conditions in the Delta. The crisis underscores the urgent need for equitable environmental policies that protect the health and cultural practices of all communities relying on these vital waterways.
See “‘Dirty Delta’: California’s largest estuary is in crisis. Is the state discriminating against people who fish there?” (October 11, 2024)
