California's Water Infrastructure to Headline Statewide Conference

SACRAMENTO, CA--(Marketwire - May 4, 2012) - Modernizing California's water infrastructure in a time of fiscal uncertainty will be the focus of the Association of California Water Agencies' (ACWA) 2012 Spring Conference & Exhibition in Monterey May 8-11. Themed "A Strong Foundation for Rebuilding California," the event is expected to draw nearly 1,700 local water leaders to the Portola Plaza Hotel and Monterey Conference Center.

To kick off the conference program on Wednesday, May 9, best-selling author and journalist Dan McNichol will keynote the opening breakfast by offering a look at how the state's infrastructure was built in the past and how it's being approached today. Later that day at a luncheon, an expert panel, including Jim Earp, executive director, California Alliance for Jobs, and David Metz, partner, Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates, will provide insight into voter attitudes and options for investing in the state's water future.

At a luncheon on Thursday, May 10, former California Resources Secretary Doug Wheeler and Michael Bean of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will turn the focus to environmental law and how the current approach to implementing the federal Endangered Species Act can be improved.

On Friday, May 11, commentator and political analyst Kevin Eckery will sort through critical measures on water, taxes and redistricting facing voters this fall at the Hans Doe Forum Breakfast.

ACWA will also present its 2012 Clair A. Hill Water Agency Award for Excellence and 2012 Excellence in Water Leadership Award during the three-day conference.

• WHAT: ACWA's 2012 Spring Conference & Exhibition
• WHEN: Tuesday, May 8 - Friday, May 11
• WHERE: Monterey Conference Center, Portola Plaza Hotel and Marriott Hotel

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose 440 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com.