Statewide Watershed Program Update

Since Secretary of Resources, Mike Chrisman, announced the creation of a new Statewide Watershed Program housed at the Department of Conservation at the Watershed Forum on September 20, 2007, the Program is off to a steady start. The Advisory Committee for the Program -- comprised of one or two stakeholders from each of the State's hydrologic units, along with a few representatives from the Environmental Justice community, Sierra Nevada Range, and tribal interests, have met twice. The first meeting provided an opportunity for committee members to meet and get to know each other. The second meeting was a chance to "roll up sleeves" and get to work. The Advisory Committee and Program staff discussed important elements of developing and implementing a Watershed Program for the entire state of California. The group is currently working on guiding principles for the Statewide Watershed Program. These principles will serve as basic assumptions to guide development and implementation of the new Program.

If you have any thoughts or comments on what should be included in these guiding principles, please email them to info@watershednetwork.org by Monday, January 14, 2008.

Public outreach activities and open meetings to gather feedback from a broad audience are scheduled to take place during February and March. Stay tuned for more details and information!

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