[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 149 (Monday, August 4, 1997)] [Notices] [Page 41974] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-20434] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Reclamation Bay-Delta Advisory Council Meetings AGENCY: Bureau of Reclamation, Interior. ACTION: Notice of meetings. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Bay-Delta Advisory Council (BDAC) will meet to discuss several issues including: general concurrence on a CALFED Bay-Delta Program watershed management plan; update from the fact finding BDAC Ecosystem Restoration Work Group and discussion on the independent scientific review of the CALFED Ecosystem Restoration Program Plan; an update on the activities of the Ecosystem Restoration program and the Ecosystem Roundtable subcommittee; an update from the fact BDAC Assurances Work Group; discussion on the detailed evaluation of the Phase II alternatives and comparison of several alternatives using an sample decision matrix; and other issues. The Ecosystem Roundtable (a subcommittee of the BDAC) will meet to discuss the following issues: an update on the type and number of proposals received as a result of the 1997 Category III Request for Proposals; the evaluation and selection process for the proposals; and future priorities and schedule for the Restoration Coordination Program. Interested persons may make oral statements to the BDAC or to the Ecosystem Roundtable or may file written statements for consideration. DATES: The Bay-Delta Advisory Council meeting will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, 1997. The Ecosystem Roundtable will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20, 1997. ADDRESSES: Bay-Delta Advisory Council will meet at the Berkeley Marina Marriott, 200 Marina Blvd., Berkeley, CA 94710; Phone 510-548-7920. The Ecosystem Roundtable will meet in Room 1131, 1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento, California. CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: For the BDAC meeting, contact Sharon Gross, CALFED Bay-Delta Program, at (916) 657-2666. For the Ecosystem Roundtable meeting contact Kate Hansel, CALFED Bay-Delta Program, at (916) 657-2666. If reasonable accommodation is needed due to a diability, 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 with 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 problem. This effort, the CALFED Bay-Delta Program (Program), is being carried out under the policy direction of CALFED. The CALFED Bay-Delta Program is exploring and the developing a long-term solution for a cooperative planning process that will determine the most appropriate strategy and actions necessary to improve water quality, restore health to the Bay-Delta ecosystem, provide for a 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 the Bay-Delta Advisory Council (BDAC) to advise CALFED on the program mission, problems to be addressed, and objectives for the CALFED Bay-Delta 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 work plans to implement ecosystem restoration projects and programs. Minutes of the meetings will be maintained by the CALFED Bay-Delta Program, Suite 1155, 1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento, California 95814, and will be available for public inspection during regular business hours, Monday through Friday within 30 days following the meeting. Dated: July 29, 1997. Roger Patterson, Regional Director, Mid-Pacific Region. [FR Doc. 97-20434 Filed 8-1-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-94-M