Coastal legislators, staff, state and federal agency heads, local government officials, NGO's and others will meet this week in Sacramento for two events under the theme of "Beaches, Wetlands & Watersheds: An Integrative Approach." Senator Dede Alpert & Assemblymember Hannah-Beth Jackson are event co-chairs. Honorary Hosts are Senators Bowen, Dunn, Johnson, Morrow, O'Connell, Peace and Polanco; and Assemblymembers Bates, Firebaugh, Harman, Kehoe, Oropeza, Pavley, Wyland and, Wayne.

"The economic and social well-being of our coastal communities depend on strong follow through for funding and implementing programs that protect our beaches, recognize the value of watersheds to maintaining a healthy coast and rebuild our fisheries. As we now squarely focus on the pressures

created by rapid growth, which include nonpoint source pollution, it makes tremendous sense to coordinate efforts whenever possible," said Assemblymember Hannah-Beth Jackson of Santa Barbara and Ventura.

The organizers of the events are the California Coastal Coalition (CalCoast), the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project, and the Southern California Steelhead Coalition.

Wednesday, March 28, from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Senator Hotel, 1121 L Street

LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST

Thursday, March 29th from 7:30 to 10:00 a.m.; $15.00 payable at the door

Sacramento Convention Center, 13th Street Side Entrance

(1400 J Street, Rooms 103-105; 916/264-5291).

8:00 Event Co-Chair: Senator Dede Alpert

8:10 Event Co-Chair Assembly Member Hannah Beth Jackson

8:20 Community Leaders Panel

Supervisor Pam Slater, San Diego Board of Supervisors

Supervisor Tom Wilson, Orange County Board of Supervisors

Supervisor John Flynn, Ventura County Board of Supervisors

8:40 Senator Richard Polanco (Invited)

8:50 Resources Secretary Mary Nichols

9:00 General Peter Madsen, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The program will include a discussion of a new sediment management plan for California's Coast that coastal communities have requested be developed by the Resources Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Resources Secretary Mary Nichols, and General Peter Madsen will be among the featured speakers and will answer questions about this proposal. The program will also feature a panel of local elected officials setting out some of their key concerns about beaches, wetlands, and watersheds with a panel of state legislators responding.

The California Coastal Coalition (CalCoast) is an advocacy group comprised of coastal cities, counties, regional planning groups, and allied interests committed to beach restoration, improved water quality and wetlands recovery. CalCoast was the sponsor of the CA Public Beach Restoration Act of 1999 (AB 64-Ducheny).