July 16,1998

To:  Bay-Delta Service List

DEADLINES FOR THE BAY-DELTA WATER RIGHTS HEARING AND NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL HEARING DATES

The purpose of this letter is to notify parties to the Bay-Delta Water Rights Hearing of changes and additions to the hearing schedule.  During the hearing on July 2, 1998, State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Chairman Caffrey ruled that the deadline for submitting evidence for Phase 5 of the hearing had been suspended until further notice.  The deadline had previously been July 6, 1998.  The subject of Phase 5 is the responsibilities of the parties for meeting the dissolved oxygen and the southern Delta salinity objectives.  The deadline for submitting direct evidence, including written testimony and other exhibits, for Phase 5 is hereby set for August 4, 1998.  The SWRCB will consider exhibits timely if they are received by the SWRCB no later than 5:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 4.  Please submit 20 copies of your exhibit list for Phase 5 and of each exhibit to the SWRCB and one copy to each party on the service list.

The SWRCB completed Phase 1 of the hearing on July 14, 1998.  The deadline for submitting closing briefs for Phase 1 is August 14, 1998.  Please submit 20 copies of the closing brief to the SWRCB and one copy to each party on the service list.

The SWRCB has tentatively set the following dates for continuation of the Bay-Delta Water Rights Hearing: 

Tuesday, September 15

Wednesday, September 16

Tuesday, September 22

Wednesday, September 23, and

Thursday, September 24.

If you have questions regarding this matter, you may call Victoria Whitney, Chief of the Bay-Delta Unit at (916) 653-2516 or Barbara J. Leidigh, Senior Staff Counsel at (916) 657-2102.

Sincerely,

/s/

Walt Pettit

Executive Director