May 13, 2008

Representatives from the agricultural and water communities will discuss water quality efforts and demonstrate water quality technology at a news conference at 11 a.m. today (Sept. 13) at California State University, Fresno.

It will be held prior to a joint workshop of the State Water Resources Control Board and Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board on the four-year old Irrigated Lands Program (ILP) in Clovis.

Scheduled to speak at the news conference are:

• Parry Klassen, board chairman of the East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition, and Selma-area farmer

• Mark McKean, president of the board of directors of the Kings River Conservation District, a Fresno County Farm Bureau director, and a Riverdale area diversified farmer

• Chris Kapheim, general manager of Alta Irrigation District, Dinuba

• David F. Zoldoske, director, Center for Irrigation Technology at Fresno State

• Jerry Prieto Jr., Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner

Also attending will be Mike Wackman and John Meek of the San Joaquin County and Delta Coalition, and Wayne Zipser of Stanislaus County Farm Bureau.

The press conference will be held in the equipment yard behind the Water and Energy Technology Incubator on the southwest corner of Chestnut and Barstow avenues.

The joint workshop of the water quality boards will include a presentation by Regional Water Board staff responding to questions submitted by the executive officer of the State Water Resources Control Board. Watershed coalitions will provide the Water Boards with updates on their individual activities.