Public Records Act

The Public Records Act (Gov. Code, §6250 et seq.) requires public records to be available to the public upon request. The Delta Stewardship Council (Council) makes records requested by the public available in accordance with the laws governing disclosure of records and information to the public.

Public Records include any writing containing information relating to the conduct of the public’s business prepared, owned, used, or retained by the Council regardless of physical form or characteristics.

Requests for Inspection or Copies of Public Records

To obtain records, submit your request to the Delta Stewardship Council using any of the following methods:

  • Email: pra@deltacouncil.ca.gov
  • Mail: 715 P Street, Suite 15-300, Sacramento, CA 95814
  • Phone: 916-445-5511

The Council encourages interested persons to request an inspection or copies of public records in writing. Written requests help the Council identify more accurately the desired records. Council staff who receive an oral request may confirm it in writing with the requestor to ensure that they understand what records are being requested.

Requesters should be as specific as possible about the records they seek. It is helpful to include the following information in your request so that we may accurately respond.

  • A clear and specific description of the information you are requesting. If possible, identify the dates, subjects, titles, or authors of the documents requested.
  • How we may contact you with any questions and a response.

Inspection of Public Records During Business Hours

Public records are available for inspection during the regular business hours 8:00 AM. to 5:00 PM. at Council headquarters (715 P Street, 15-300, Sacramento, CA 95814). The Council encourages persons interested in inspecting copies of public records to make a file review appointment in advance. Appointments are not mandatory, but Council staff may need time to gather the records before the inspection and to review the records for any information exempt from disclosure. An appointment can be made by email, telephone, or in-person using the contact information available above and in person at the Council headquarters.

To prevent records from being lost, damaged, or destroyed during an inspection Council staff may designate a location for the inspection within Council headquarters and monitor the inspection.

Process for Responding to Requests for Copies of Public Records

The Council will determine within 10 days after receiving the request whether the request, in whole or in part, seeks copies of disclosable public records within the Council’s possession and shall promptly notify the person making the request of the determination. When the Council dispatches the determination, and if the Council determines that the request seeks disclosable public records, the Council shall state the estimated date and time when the records will be made available. The Council may extend the initial 10-day time frame for up to an additional 14 days if the Council determines that there are unusual circumstances that require additional time. Unusual circumstances include:

  1. The need to search for and collect the requested records from various locations;
  2. The need to search for, collect, and appropriately examine a voluminous amount of separate and distinct records that are demanded in a single request;
  3. The need for consultation with other agencies; or
  4. The need to compile data, write programming language or a computer program, or construct a computer report to extract data.

In response to a request for a public record that is already posted on the Council website, the Council may direct the requester to the location of the record on the website. If the requester is unable to access or reproduce the public record after being directed to it on the website, the requester may seek a copy of the record from the Council.

Costs and Duplication Fees

The Council does not charge a fee for the public to access records available on the Council’s website or for the time that the Council staff spend to research, retrieve, redact, or transmit public records. The Council may charge a fee for direct costs of duplicating a record, or a statutory fee if applicable. DSC may charge 10 cents ($0.10) per page as the direct cost of providing paper copies and a retrieval fee not to exceed five dollars ($5.00) per request of copies of reports and statements which are five or more years old. The Council may charge its full costs when it must compile or extract electronic data or perform computer programming or computer services to satisfy a request.

Exemptions from Disclosure

Council will provide access to the public records requested except to the extent the law exempts a record or information from mandatory disclosure. Examples of public records or information that may be exempt from disclosure include personnel or medical records, investigative records, drafts, confidential legal communications, attorney work product, proprietary data, and records prepared in connection with litigation.

Relevant Legal Authorities and Guidance

California Public Records Act (Gov Code §§ 6250, et .seq.)