SACRAMENTO, CA — (Marketwire) — 04/24/12 — California–s water infrastructure and options for revitalizing it will be in focus at the Association of California Water Agencies– (ACWA) 2012 Spring Conference & Exhibition, set for May 8-11 in Monterey. More than 1,700 local water leaders are expected to attend the event.
Themed “A Strong Foundation for Rebuilding California,” the conference programs kick off Wednesday, May 9, with an address by best-selling author and journalist Dan McNichol at the opening breakfast. A frequent contributor to CNBC News and advocate for thinking and building big, McNichol will offer a look at how the state–s infrastructure was built in the past and how it–s being approached today.
A luncheon program that same day will focus on the political landscape surrounding the water bond currently set for the November ballot. An expert panel, including Jim Earp, executive director, California Alliance for Jobs, and David Metz, partner, Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates, will provide insight into voter attitudes and options for investing in the state–s water future in a time of fiscal uncertainty.
At a Thursday, May 10 luncheon, former California Resources Secretary Doug Wheeler and Michael Bean of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will turn the focus to environmental law and how the current approach to implementing the federal Endangered Species Act can be improved. A panel on the Bay-Delta Conservation Plan, moderated by Stuart Leavenworth of the Sacramento Bee, and programs on water rates, water quality, conservation, groundwater and water recycling are also planned.
On Friday, May 11, commentator and political analyst Kevin Eckery will sort through critical measures on water, taxes and redistricting facing voters this fall at the Hans Doe Forum Breakfast.
ACWA will also present its 2012 Clair A. Hill Agency Award for Excellence and 2012 Excellence in Water Leadership Award during the three-day conference.
ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 440 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit .
Jennifer Persike
ACWA Director of Strategic Coordination and Public Affairs
916/441-4545
916/296-3981 (cell)
910 K Street, Suite 100
Sacramento, California 95814-3512
916/441-4545
FAX 916/441-7893