Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Methylmercury TMDL - Delta Mercury Exposure Reduction

Documents listed on this page are available upon request. To request a copy please contact Lauren Leles at Lauren.Leles@waterboards.ca.gov or (916) 464-4668.

Delta Mercury Exposure Reduction

This webpage contains information about the Delta Mercury Exposure Reduction Program (MERP). The primary goals of the Delta MERP are to increase understanding of contaminants in fish and reduce exposure to mercury among people who eat fish from the Delta. Initial implementation of the Delta Methylmercury TMDL required all entities responsible for meeting TMDL methylmercury allocations in the Delta to participate in the Delta MERP for six years. Other interested parties, including Delta community-based organizations, Tribes, and fish consumers, also participated in MERP activities from 2012-2019. MERP implementation information is available on the Delta Conservancy's Delta MERP website.

Delta Advisory Signs - Informing the Public How to Eat Delta Fish Safely

The Delta MERP Posting Project sought to remedy the lack of accessible information about methylmercury (the methylated form of mercury) in fish frequently caught in the Delta waterways. The Delta MERP is coordinated with communities and stakeholders to post fish consumption advisories at 145 sites throughout the Delta. MERP advisories were developed using advisories issued by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) with guidance on the specific types and amount of Delta fish that can be safely consumed by vulnerable groups in the population.

  • Educational fish consumption advisory materials are currently available by email request.

  Archived Documents