Tell BAWSCA to Implement Remote Public Comment!

In 2022, the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) phased out its remote participation options that allowed community members from across the Bay Area to participate in BAWSCA’s monthly board meetings. The general public no longer has access to a way to give comment remotely. Now, people wishing to comment at BAWSCA Board meetings must be physically present at their meetings in San Mateo.

BAWSCA has made slow progress amidst public calls to bring back remote participation. Thanks to advocacy from members of the public, BAWSCA has returned livestreams of their Board meetings as of April. However, the agency has no plan to restore remote public comment. BAWSCA has constructed barriers that prevent elders, caregivers, working-class people, and any other Bay Area resident unable to take hours out of their day to comment at Board meetings in person.

If remote public comment is returned to BAWSCA, Sierra Club California’s advocacy efforts would be able to better include the voices of caregivers, elders, those without transportation, disabled people, and everyday working-class people. These voices cannot be excluded as we mobilize to oppose BAWSCA’s harmful actions against the Bay-Delta Plan and its support of the Voluntary Agreements (VAs).

Send a message to BAWSCA now!

If you have any questions, please contact:

Jakob Evans

jakob.evans@sierraclub.org

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Restore Remote Public Comment at BAWSCA

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Dear Board Members, The removal of remote participation in BAWSCA Board meetings has reduced the transparency of the agency and has excluded the voices of the elderly, working-class, and caregiving community members from sharing their vital perspectives on the actions BAWSCA takes. Remote participation became the new normal during the pandemic and remains in place in the majority of California cities. BAWSCA has made great progress by returning livestreams of Board meetings and the Agency must continue by implementing remote public comment services. As BAWSCA considers continuing its anti-environmental lawsuit against the State Water Board and chooses to support environmentally harmful voluntary agreements (VAs), the Board must remain transparent and ensure the voices of marginalized communities are heard at public meetings. The Board must restore remote participation, including remote public comment. Thank you for recognizing the impact that remote participation has on increasing the accessibility and transparency of BAWSCA. Sincerely,

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