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8A Page 12 whole system leaving city jails potentially unable to transfer offenders to overcrowded county facilities. Coalition Details The coalition includes the California State Sheriffs Association, the California Police Chiefs Association, the California Peace Officers Coalition, the Chief Probation Officers of California and the California State Association of Counties. The group was formed because the outcome of this litigation may determine whether 40,000 inmates will be ordered released from the state prison system and if the population of the state prison system will be capped. This action would have a significant impact on California cities. Coalition Press Conference Sept. 24 The federal Prison Litigation Reform Act gives authority to a three judge court to determine whether or not to issue a prisoner release order. This panel will hold its first hearing on Monday, Sept. 24, at 1 :30 p.rn. at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal in San Francisco. Prior to the hearing, the coalition will hold a news conference on the steps of the court at 11 a. m. to inform the public about the potential public safety impact that the panel's decision may have. California city officials will participate at the news conference to discuss city concerns. Background There has been litigation on these issues for the past 12 years. Two federal judges ruled that the existing situation in the California prison system justified the creation of the three judge panel to assume control of the California prison system because the over crowded conditions violate the constitutional rights of the 175,000 inmates currently in the system. The 9th Circuit recently affirmed the creation of this three-judge panel to hear the prisoners' allegations, and determine whether to release offenders early, and whether to place a cap on the state's prison population. When the three-judge panel has made a decision on this issue, the details will be reported in Priority Focus. ACWA Launches Public Information Campaign The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) has launched a statewide public information campaign on current and future issues related to the water. The campaign, "California's Water: A Crisis We Can't Ignore" is designed to educate the public about the state's water delivery and storage crisis and its impact on the economy, environment and way of life. The state faces some of the most significant water challenges in the last half century including the severe vulnerabilities in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and a recent court-ordered massive reduction in the water supply statewide to protect an endangered fish. The campaign will engage the public through television, radio and print advertising plus the internet and other forms of community outreach. ACWA is asking leaders across the state to get involved with the public education effort in their local communities. Suggested actions include: · Distribute program materials to your constituent emaillists · Post a banner ad with a link to yvww.calwatercrisis..9l9. on your Web site · Publish an article on the water crisis in your newsletter or local press · Post the campaign's ads on your Web site . Host a local public forum on the water crisis · Feature a panel discussion on the water crisis at conventions/conferences 12