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*** MEDIA ADVISORY ***
CSU 1-day Conference to Draw 100-plus Water Experts, Agency Officials,
Environmental-Justice Advocates to Rancho Cucamonga Today, June 28
WHAT: |
The Water Resources and Policy Initiatives (WRPI) of the California State University (CSU) is presenting and underwriting a one-day conference, “Developing Funding For Disadvantaged Community Infrastructure Projects” Tuesday, June 28, in Rancho Cucamonga for government and water-district officials, advocates and others.
The event supports a larger WRPI effort to advance technical, social, and other ways to foster environmental restoration and economic development. The CSU has proposed a federally funded center to provide technical and other assistance to help disadvantaged communities develop and manage effective, sustainable water and wastewater systems. |
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WHEN: |
8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, June 28, 2011 |
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WHERE: |
The Frontier Project, 10435 Ashford Street, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
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WHO: |
Presenters include directors, scientists and other individuals from State Water Resources Control Board, regional water authorities, WRPI, community groups, and environmental-protection and public-health agencies. |
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WHY: |
In hundreds of relatively poor communities across California, the systems to provide clean water or to treat wastewater – or to do both – are failing, raising concerns of public health and environmental justice. What does it take to tackle such problems? And how can solutions be funded and sustained?
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AGENDA: |
The conference agenda will examine why many poor communities, particularly rural ones, have deficient water systems; the problem’s scope and impact; how problems can be approached; and, primarily, how funding for solutions can be pursued.
Several case studies will be presented, including one of Enchanted Heights, a community in the City of Perris, where failing septic systems have fouled yards and lanes for years. This summer, a three-year, $13 million installation project will begin on a sewer system for the 446-home community.
The conference offers reporters a confluence of expertise and perspectives. Presenters will include representatives of resource and health agencies, researchers and environmental-justice advocates. The experts below are available for interviews at the event or later.
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CONTACT: |
Media Contacts:
Sean Kearns (707) 826-3338; cell (562) 335-4997, skearns@calstate.edu
Mike Uhlenkamp (562) 951-4800; muhlenkamp@calstate.edu
Expert Sources:
Susan Lien Longville
Director, Water Resources Institute, California State University San Bernardino; associate director, CSU WRPI; moderator, a key organizer of conference
Office (909) 537-7684; cell (909) 772-0843
slongvil@csusb.edu
Karl E. Longley
Dean emeritus, CSU Fresno; research engineer, California Water Institute; board member, Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board
Office (559) 278-8658; cell (209) 873-0630
karll@csufresno.edu
Maria Elena Kennedy (also fluent in Spanish)
City of Perris outreach coordinator on Enchanted Heights project; executive director, Quail Valley Environmental Coalition; member, U.S. EPA's National Drinking Water Advisory Council
Cell (626) 374-8910
cristorey@charter.net
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