ANNOUNCEMENT OF STATE SENATE HEARING

Improving Water Conservation and Management in Southern California: Successes and Opportunities

January 23, 2009

Dear Friend:

As the new Chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Water, I believe it is critical that we use water effectively and efficiently.

Numerous studies show that conservation and efficient management practices are the most cost effective way of meeting our water supply needs. In fact, because of past investments in these practices, Los Angeles uses roughly the same amount of water today as it did 2 decades ago, while accommodating an additional 750,000 residents.

However, not everyone in Southern California is aggressively implementing all available conservation and efficient measures. More can and should be done.

This year will be particularly challenging. Consecutive record-dry winters have seriously diminished available water supply throughout the state. Locally, we may soon be facing severe restrictions on water use. But it is hard to explain to our citizens the necessity for mandatory water rationing, when there are less disruptive means to meet our water needs.

That's why I am calling for a public hearing in Southern California; to focus on innovative water conservation and management programs that are being implemented today. The hearing will highlight:

• What people are doing now that could be easily adopted by others
• What additional programs are likely to be implemented soon
• What the State can do to help

The hearing will be held on Friday, February 6th, from 1 pm - 3 pm, at Santa Monica City College, Business Building 111, 1900 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405. (Located on Pico Blvd. & 17th - traveling west on Pico Blvd, turn left on 17th, straight into school and park in the parking structure. The Business Bldg. is the first Bldg. straight out of the parking structure, and Room 111 is the First Room when you enter the Building.)

The hearing is open to the public and I encourage you to attend. Those appearing include top officials of the State Department of Water Resources, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the Long Beach Water Department, and many other water agencies. Representatives of community groups such as Tree People will also appear.

I hope to see you on February 6th.

Sincerely,

Fran Pavley
State Senator, 23^rd District