[Federal Register: August 20, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 161)] [Notices] [Page 44637] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr20au98-83] [[Page 44637]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Reclamation Bay-Delta Advisory Council Meeting and Bay-Delta Advisory Council's Ecosystem Roundtable Meeting AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior. ACTION: Notice of meetings. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Bay-Delta Advisory Council (BDAC) will meet to discuss and advise the CALFED Bay-Delta Program on the implementation approach described in the document entitled ``Selecting a Draft Preferred Alternative.'' BDAC members will also be briefed on the current status of the CALFED conservation strategy. On the evening of September 10, BDAC members will participate in a public meeting sponsored by CALFED on issues of concern to residents of the Delta. In addition, BDAC members will be briefed on the Water Quality Program, and will hear highlights from the expert panel on bromides which will have met on September 8 and 9 in Sacramento. Finally, BDAC members will received a status report on the Ecosystem Restoration Program, and will consider the final fiscal year 1999 selections for the Restoration Coordination Program The Bay-Delta Advisory Council's (BDAC) Ecosystem Roundtable will meet to discuss several issues including: an implementation and tracking system update, status of the 1998 Proposal Solicitation Package, the development of other directed funding programs, the planning process for FY 99, water acquisition, funding coordination, and other issues. The meeting are open to the public. Interested persons may make oral statements to the BDAC and Ecosystem Roundtable or may file written statements for consideration. DATES: The Bay-Delta Advisory Council meeting will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, 1998, and 8:30 a.m.-Noon on Friday, September 11, 1998. The BDAC Ecosystem Roundtable meeting will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, August 31, 1998. ADDRESSES: The Bay-Delta Advisory Council will meet at the Stockton Inn, 4219 Waterloo Road, Stockton, California, (209) 931-3131. The Ecosystem Roundtable will meet at the Resources Building, 1416 Ninth Street, Room 1131, Sacramento, CA 95814. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For the Bay-Delta Advisory Council Meeting, Mary Selkirk, CALFED Bay- Delta Program, at (916) 657-2666; for the Ecosystem Roundtable, Cindy Darling, CALFED Bay-Delta Program, at (916) 657-2666. If reasonable accommodation is needed due to a disability, please contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Office at (916) 653-6952 or TDD (916) 653-6934 at least one week prior to the meeting. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary (Bay-Delta system) is a critically important part of California's natural environment and economy. In recognition of the serious problems facing the region and the complex resource management decisions that must be made, the state of California and the Federal government are working together to stabilize, protect, restore, and enhance the Bay-Delta system. The State and Federal agencies will management and regulatory responsibilities in the Bay-Delta system are working together as CALFED to provide policy direction and oversight for the process. One area of Bay-Delta management includes the establishment of a joint State-Federal process to develop long-term solutions to problems in the Bay-Delta system related to fish and wildlife, water supply reliability, natural disasters, and water quality. The intent is to develop a comprehensive and balanced plan which addresses all of the resource problems. This effort, the CALFED Bay-Delta Program (Program), is being carried out under the policy direction of CALFED. The Program is exploring and developing a long-term solution for a cooperative planning process that will determine that most appropriate strategy and actions necessary to improve water quality, restore health to the Bay- Delta ecosystem, provide for the variety of beneficial uses, and minimize Bay-Delta system vulnerability. A group of citizen advisors representing California's agricultural, environmental, urban, business, fishing, and other interests who have a stake in finding long term solutions for the problems affecting the Bay-Delta system has been chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) as Advisory Council BDAC to advise CALFED on the program mission, problems to be addressed, and objectives for the Program. BDAC provides a forum to help ensure public participation, and will review reports and other materials prepared by CALFED staff. BDAC has established a subcommittee called the Ecosystem Roundtable to provide input on annual workplans to implement ecosystem restoration projects and programs. Minutes of the meeting will be maintained by the Program, Suite 1155, 1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, and will be available for public inspection during regular business hours, Monday through Friday within 30 days following the meeting. Dated: August 19, 1998. Roger Patterson, Regional Director, Mid-Pacific Region. [FR Doc. 98-22388 Filed 8-19-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-94-M