Here is a interesting conference program that you may want to publicize on

your net. Dorothy Green and her group has done some very exciting things with

dissecting the LA basin and understanding its flows and outputs into our

waterways. The ecological balance and our own health are at risk by the way

we are living on the landscape. They have a great book out, Stormwater: Asset

or Liability by Susanne Dallman and Tom Piechota, Phd., PE. You can reach

them at Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council 111 Hope St,

suite 2113, Los Angeles, Ca 90024: 213-367-4111

They are doing great administrative urban permaculture work.

Bill Roley

Director

Permaculture Institute of Southern California

1027 Summit Way

Laguna Beach, Ca 92651

949-494-5843

SAVE THE DATE:  SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2000

FROM DRAIN TO DREAM III WATERSHED CONFERENCE

WATER QUALITY ISSUES AND THE CLEAN WATER ACT EXPLORED

How Water Quality Standards are Determined, Enforced, and Changed

Water Quality Issues now Under Debate

Date         Saturday, April 15, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Cost:      $12 includes lunch, parking and materials.  Scholarships will be

available.

Location:  Department of Water and Power Auditorium, 111 North Hope. Downtown

The Los Angeles & San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council's spring conference

will explore the Clean Water Act and the quality of the waters in our

watershed.  Just as last year's conference led to the publication of a book

on Storm Water, this conference will lead to the publication of a book on

water quality.  It will also lead to recommendations as to what standards you

think appropriate for our local water bodies.  Your input is sought.

Draft copies of this new book will be mailed to all who reserve space ahead

of time.  It is important to learn the content in advance because we will be

soliciting conference participants' advice and guidance on the appropriate

water quality standards for our local water bodies.  Establishing these

standards is, in the final analysis, a political process.  Our

recommendations will be presented to the Regional Water Quality Control Board

together as part of the published book.  Come and Let your Voice be Heard!

AGENDA:  We have invited Alexis Straus, Chief of Water for US EPA Region IX,

to be our keynoter, to present an overview of water quality issues, past,

present, and future.  Dr. Heather Trim, author of our new book, will present

an overview.  She will be followed by a response panel composed of the

Regulator (The Regional Water Board), the Regulated (L A City Sanitation

District), the Environmental Community, and the Watershed Council.

    After lunch we will assemble in small workshop groups with a facilitator

to debate the various beneficial use designations, and decide on our

recommendations.  The small groups will then come together to report on their

deliberations, and hopefully agree on a consensus recommendation to include

in the book and for presentation to the Regional Board.