Participating in State Water Board Meetings during the COVID-19 Emergency

Background

As a result of the COVID-19 emergency and the Governor’s Executive Orders N-29-20 and N-33-20, this meeting will occur solely via remote presence by video and teleconference. There will not be a physical public access location. The State Water Board is conducting the meeting this way to protect public health by avoiding public gatherings and requiring social distancing. At the same time, the State Water Board remains committed to transparency. Members of the public will be able to listen to and watch the meeting and comment if desired.

The Board asks for patience and cooperation. While every effort has been made to streamline the experience and conduct meetings in the manner to which our stakeholders have grown accustomed, there may be technical issues and human error. We will attempt to correct any issues that arise as soon as we can.

Individuals who require special accommodations are requested to contact the DDW Technical Operations Section by email at: DDW-TechOps@Waterboards.ca.gov.

  If you only want to watch or listen to the Hearing

The webcast can be viewed through most web browsers from this page: https://video.calepa.ca.gov/.

Individuals who only want to watch or listen should use this option as it preserves interactive meeting resources for those who are commenting on items.

  If you want to provide oral comments to DDW staff during the meeting

The State Water Board will be using a remote meeting service to host the interactive part of the meeting. With the remote participation option, you can either call in or use a computer or mobile device (e.g., mobile phone or table) to participate via audio or video conference.

  Guidelines for Orderly Participation for Those Who Want to Comment During the Meeting

• Remote meetings often lack the same visual and social cues available during public, in-person meetings. Please be respectful and patient so all interested commenters can be fairly heard.
• Call in to the meeting or video conference in to the meeting a few minutes before the scheduled start of the meeting to ensure you can resolve any technical issues before the meeting starts. You will initially be in a virtual waiting room, and will remain there until the start of the meeting.
• You will be muted until it is your turn to speak. While muted, you will be able to hear the hearing and can continue watching via the remote meeting service if you have connected from a computer or mobile device.
• Even though you may only wish to comment on one item, the Board encourages you to participate in the entire meeting via the remote meeting service because there are at times brief delays associated with the webcast, and it may not be synchronized with interactive meeting.
• Regardless of whether you participate via phone, computer, or mobile device, please participate from a quiet environment so that the Board can hear you when you are called upon. If you are using the internet to connect to the meeting, try to ensure you have a good connection or strong signal.
• It is important to avoid creating acoustic feedback. If there are other devices near you that are tuned into the meeting, please make sure that the speaker volume of those devices is turned down when it is your turn to participate.
• DDW staff will maintain decorum during the meeting as is customary in public meetings, and individuals who are disruptive may be removed from the remote meeting service or have their connection muted.
• Other public commenters will be able to see your name (which is not unusual because commenters already have to identify themselves for the record before speaking), and if you call in, other commenters will see the last three digits of your phone number unless you have called in anonymously.

  Joining the Meeting Remotely if You Want to Participate

• The State Water Board will be using the Zoom meeting service to allow remote participation
• Do not use the webcast if you are participating through the Zoom remote service.
• Meeting ID codes and phone numbers for the Zoom meeting will be posted above the day before the meeting.
• A password is necessary to join the Zoom meeting and instructions for obtaining a password are below.

  Participating via Telephone

• The Zoom remote meeting service allows individuals to dial from a list of California phone numbers.
• You will need to have the Meeting ID from above to join the meeting.
• General information about using a phone to participate in a Zoom meeting is available here.
• When you are asked to comment during the meeting, the meeting organizer will unmute your phone, but you may also need to press *6 on your phone.

  If you want to use your phone to provide comments but follow along with the video presentations (e.g., because you do not have or want to use a computer microphone or camera), you can do so, but the computer or mobile device will need to be connected to the Zoom meeting using the steps below for “Participating via Video Conference.” When connecting to the Zoom meeting through a computer or mobile device select the option that you are participating by phone call. The Zoom service will give you a participant number that you can then enter on your phone (#[Participant Number]#]).

  Participating via Video Conference

• The State Water Board will be using the Zoom remote meeting service for those who want to provide comments. Do not use the webcast if you are participating through the Zoom remote service. And only use the Zoom service if you want to provide comment.
• You do not need to create a Zoom account to participate in a Water Board meeting. The Meeting ID and password provided by the Water Board are all you will need to join the meeting, but you will need to enter your name so the Board can identify and unmute you from the speaker queue.
• You do not need to install software on your computer to participate. The Zoom service can run within an existing web browser.
• Downloading the Zoom software may, however, provide a superior meeting experience for you. You can download the Zoom client in advance at https://zoom.us/download
• Familiarize yourself with the Zoom features here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697