Mon, 29 Aug 2005 19:39:24 -0700
To:
bach@lists.riseup.net
From:
"Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters"
Subject:
[bach] Water Board's Sept. hearing in Fortuna
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Hearing Notice
from the Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters
August 29, 2005
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>>Notice regarding the evidentiary hearing about the watershed-specific discharge requrirements being considered by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, taking place in Fortuna on Sept. 14
If you may be attending this hearing, read on. It will probably not be possible to sign up to speak at the hearing.
Any persons wishing to speak at the Regional Water Board's September 14th hearing on Palco's Watershed-wide Waste Discharge Requirements permits for Freshwater and Elk River need to contact the Regional Water Board as soon as possible to assure a time slot.
The Regional Water Board is making the final procedural arrangements for this evidentiary hearing, which will be held at the River Lodge in Fortuna. This hearing will likely last into the evening, if not into a second day. While there are still some details to be worked out, it is clear at this point that public comment or "policy statements" by the public will happen at the very beginning of the hearing. However, due to the large amount of persons believed to be planning to speak at the hearing, only two hours will be alloted, and the time will be granted first to persons making arrangements to speak in advance.
The concern here is of course that a 'pro-PL' contingent will monopolize the time, as has happened at other meetings. Therefore it is urgent that anyone who even thinks they might wish to speak as a member of the public at this hearing should call or e-mail the Regional Water Board as soon as possible, preferably by the end of the day on Tuesday, August 30th. Yes, it's that urgent, as we expect a campaign by Palco to fill up the public comment time.
These kinds of statements by the public need not be lengthy, detailed, or technical, but rather express the public's desire to see water quality protected, and the public interest served. Simple messages reminding the RWB that the public has been waiting 8 years for some action in these two damaged watersheds would be a good reminder, especially for the new members of the Board. Some Board members are likely to be swayed by PL's assertions that there really is no problem here, or that water quality and flooding are improving, or that the solution to flooding is raising the roads. The public needs to help keep the RWB focused and on task, so as not to get distracted by non-issues raised by the other side.
Again, if there is any possibility at all that you may wish to speak at this hearing (and I would urge our supporters to do so!), then please contact the RWB as soon as possible. Please e-mail the Regional Water Board at the 3 addresses below (use all 3, to be safe), and please also cc the Humboldt Watershed Council.
Contact:
Catherine Kuhlman Ckuhlman@waterboards.ca.gov
Sheryl Schaffner sschaffner@waterboards.ca.gov
Terri Korell TKorell@waterboards.ca.gov
Thank you for your support.
BACH is forwarding this message sent by Mark Lovelace, Humboldt Watershed Council
sheds@humboldt1.com
2. Interested Persons
Interested persons may participate in the hearings with certain limitations. Interested persons may present non-evidentiary policy statements which will be heard first, prior to the presentation of evidence by the parties. Interested persons are not subject to cross-examination and may not cross-examine other parties. Interested persons will receive 3 minutes to make their policy statements.
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Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters (BACH)
2530 San Pablo Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94702
phone: 510 548 3113
email: bach@headwaterspreserve.org
http://www.HeadwatersPreserve.org
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