December 17, 1999

To: Interested Parties

ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING FOR THE PUBLIC ADVISORY GROUP TO SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION OF ASSEMBLY BILL (AB) 982 (DUCHENY)

This letter is to invite you to a meeting to establish an advisory group as required by AB 982 (Water Code Section 13191). The organizational meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 21, 2000, in the Hearing Room of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) at 901 P Street, Sacramento, California. This advisory group will assist in the evaluation of program structure and effectiveness in matters related to the implementation of Clean Water Act section 303(d) requirements and other applicable regulations, as well as other monitoring and assessment programs.

The SWRCB will establish the Public Advisory Group (PAG) that will provide constructive comments focused on the development of a comprehensive surface water quality monitoring program. We intend the PAG to be a balanced group of ten members with one representative from each of the following types of organizations:

• Municipal Dischargers
• Stormwater Dischargers
• Industrial Dischargers
• Irrigated Agriculture
• Forestry
• Water Purveyors
• Environmental Groups
• Wildlife Conservation Groups
• Citizen Monitoring Groups
• Public Interest Groups

At the meeting the participants will be asked to select a representative (and an alternate) for each type of organization. In evaluating whether you will participate in the PAG, please be advised that the committee will meet at least four times over the next three months to advise the SWRCB on the development of the comprehensive surface water quality monitoring program. As the comprehensive monitoring plan is completed, the advisory group will be asked to comment on other aspects of the Clean Water Act section 303(d) requirements.

We request that you send written confirmation by letter or E-mail to:

Ms. Gita Kapahi
Division of Water Quality
State Water Resources Control Board
P.O. Box 944213
Sacramento, CA 94244-2130
FAX: (916) 654-8375
E-mail: kapag@dwq.swrcb.ca.gov

Should you have any questions about the PAG or the organizational meeting, please call Gita Kapahi at (916) 657-0883.

Sincerely,

/s/

Walt Pettit
Executive Director

cc: The Honorable Denise M. Ducheny
            California State Assembly
            State Capitol, Room 6026
            Sacramento, CA 95814
      State Board Members
      Mr. Dale Claypoole
            Deputy Director
            State Water Resources Control Board 
      All Regional Board Executive Officers
      Mr. Tom Jones, Chief
           Office of Legislative and Public Affairs
           State Water Resources Control Board
     Mr. Craig M. Wilson
          Assistant Chief Counsel
          Office of Chief Counsel
          State Water Resources Control Board