ADVISORY/California Water Boards Launch Countywide Community Action Programs to Reduce Neighborhood Pollution and Improve Los Angeles Region's Water Quality.

News Editors/Calendar Editors/Environment Writers

ADVISORY...for Saturday (June 5)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

  Erase the Waste Campaign Puts Comprehensive Neighborhood Action Kit
   in the Hands of Residents, Empowering Them to Make Neighborhoods
              Litter-Free for Families' Health and Safety

WHAT:   California Water Boards (formerly the State Water Resources
        Control Board) Board Members Richard Katz and Nancy Sutley,
        Los Angeles City Councilmember Jack Weiss, and 300 volunteers
        will roll up their sleeves to clean the Los Angeles River and
        launch programs to educate and involve communities in the LA
        County Erase the Waste Storm Water Public Education Campaign.
        The campaign is introducing the Neighborhood Action Kit, a
        how-to guide of storm water pollution prevention activities,
        designed to help residents develop solutions to the widespread
        problem of pollution in their neighborhoods. The kit includes
        resource materials and easy-to-follow "get involved"
        suggestions encouraging residents to take simple actions -
        from adopting a local park or playground as a trash-free zone
        to speaking to homeowners groups and other organizations to
        spread the Erase the Waste message. The kit, developed in
        English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese languages,
        will be distributed throughout LA County beginning this summer
        and will then be adapted for statewide use.

        This community effort is part of a two-year, $5 million
        advertising and public education campaign, Erase the Waste,
        aimed at reducing harmful storm water pollution in Los Angeles
        County and engaging LA County residents to help improve the
        environment of the region's coastal and inland communities.

WHEN:   Saturday, June 5, 2004 starting promptly at 9:45 a.m.
        This event is part of LA Works Day

WHO:    Richard Katz and Nancy Sutley, California Water Boards Members
        Jack Weiss, Los Angeles City Councilmember
        Bob Johnson, LA Works Board Co-Chair
        Representatives of key environmental and community
         organizations

WHERE:  Los Angeles River, Rattlesnake Park
        Fletcher Drive Bridge, Corner of Fletcher Drive and
         Ripple Street
        Los Angeles, CA 90039

        Take the I-5 South towards Los Angeles, exit Fletcher Drive
        and turn left onto Fletcher. Parking is one block east of the
        event site at the corner of Ripple Street and Clearwater
        Street. Follow signs to the parking lot. (Thomas guide
        reference is 594-E3.)

VISUALS:

        Approximately 300 volunteers (including families and children)
        cleaning up trash in the LA River that comes from adjacent
        communities and affects water quality