September 17, 1998

Jim Ganulin, Esq.

Baker, Manock & Jensen

5260 North Palm Avenue, Suite 421

Fresno, CA 93704-2209

Dear Mr. Ganulin:

BAY-DELTA WATER RIGHTS HEARING:  ACCEPTANCE OF LATE NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPEAR

This letter is a second follow-up to the ruling dated August 6, 1998, regarding late notices of intent to appear.  I have previously ruled that two other late notices of intent to appear, for Carmichael Water District and for Del Puerto Water District, be filed and the party allowed to participate in the Bay-Delta Water Rights Hearing.

On June 24, 1998, on behalf of the Westlands Water District Landholders, your office filed a late notice of intent to appear for Phase 7 of the hearing.  As was the case with the other two parties, more than fifteen days has passed since the August 6, 1998 ruling without the State Water Resources Control Board having received any objection from other parties to the filing of this late notice of intent to appear.  I find that no party will be prejudiced by the filing of this late notice of intent to appear.  Accordingly, I rule that it shall be filed and that the Westlands Water District Landholders will be allowed to participate in the Bay-Delta Water Rights Hearing.

If you have any questions about this letter, you may contact Barbara J. Leidigh, Senior Staff Counsel, of the Office of Chief Counsel, at (916) 657-2102.

Sincerely,

/s/  John Caffrey

Hearing Officer and Chairman

cc:  Bay-Delta Water Rights Hearing Service List