CO-AUTHOR OF CLEAN WATER/CLEAR AIR ACT TO SPEAK ON CONTROVERSIAL STORMWATER RUNOFF COSTS TO CITIES

Southland Cities Face Critical Stormwater Water Surface From Clean Water Act According to LAEDC

ADVISORY/LAEDC to Hold BEACON News Conference

City Desks/Assignment Editors
ADVISORY...for Thursday Morning (May 30)

WHAT:    LAEDC BEACON News Conference
         Critical Storm Water Issues & Enforcement

WHO:     Leon G. Billings, BEACON Team Member and
         Co-Author of the Federal Clean Air &
         Clean Water Acts
         Lee Harrington, Pres/CEO, LAEDC
         Wally Baker, Senior VP, LAEDC and BEACON
         Program Director
         Dr. Nancy Sidhu, VP and Senior
         Economist, LAEDC
         David Carey, Storm Water Runoff Expert
         and BEACON Team Member

WHEN:    Thursday, May 30, 2002: 11:00 - 11:45 AM

NOTE: News Conference precedes panel discussion at Contract Cities Conference At Renaissance Esmeralda Resort, Indian Wells on Friday, May 31st at 2:00 - 4:30 PM

WHERE: Los Angeles County Economic Development
         Corporation (LAEDC)
         515 South Flower Street, 32nd Floor
         Los Angeles, CA 90071
         Tel: Della Cain at 213/236-4891

Background: BEACON Program -- Balancing Economic and Clean Ocean Needs (BEACON) is a LAEDC program for all cities in Southern California. Some startling study results will be announced at the news conference. The LAEDC has found that the new Storm Water Permit for the Cities in Los Angeles County is not just an LA County problem. Under a Joint Powers Agreement, the program provides the Cities of the Southland with a way to collectively identify and address the regulatory challenges rather than trying to face them individually. The BEACON Program is providing cities with practical guidance, resources and help needed to comply with federal and state Storm Water regulations both in the spirit and letter of the law.

CONTACT: Los Angeles County Economic Development
         Corporation
               Wally Baker, 213/447-2269
               George Young, 310/822-0370
                or
               Mayo Communications
               Aida Mayo, 818/340-5300
               www.MayoCommunications.com

    KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
    INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ENVIRONMENT        
         GOVERNMENT UTILITIES ADVISORY
    SOURCE: Los Angeles County Economic
         Development Corporation