On January 7, 2015, the OCWD Board of Directors voted 9 to 1 to begin negotiating a term sheet with Poseidon Resources to purchase 50 million gallons per day (56,000 acre-feet per year) of water created by the proposed Huntington Beach Ocean Desalination Plant. A term sheet would provide the overall business arrangement and define the responsibilities of OCWD and Poseidon Resources to advance the project. This is the first step in what will be a thorough and deliberate process to carefully consider the proposed project.

As part of this process, the board will appoint a citizen's advisory committee to ensure the public is provided ample opportunity to provide input. OCWD will be accepting applications until January 30, 2015, 5:00 p.m. PST.

Each OCWD board member will appoint up to two committee members and an alternate member. They will consider many factors when reviewing the applications, including, but not limited to, geography, professional and personal experience, and environmental and business interests, to reflect the diverse interests of the communities that may be impacted by the proposed project. The committee may meet monthly, or as needed, without compensation.

Interested parties may apply by submitting a letter by fax to (714) 963-0291, email to oceandesalexploration@ocwd.com or mail addressed to:

Michael R. Markus, P.E., D.WRE
General Manager
Orange County Water District
18700 Ward Street
Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Applications must include information about interest and qualifications to serve on the committee, a residential address, telephone number, and email address. Resumes, curriculum vitae, references and/or other materials may be included.

The Board will review the applications and make their selections, which will be announced as part of the February 18, 2015 regularly scheduled Board meeting. Applicants will be notified shortly thereafter. Meetings of the committee will be open to the public.

OCWD encourages members of the public to be engaged in the process. Information including, meeting agendas, reports, studies, press releases, and other related data are available at the Ocean Desalination Exploration and the Ocean Desalination Citizens' Advisory Committee page and will continue to be posted regularly. To submit questions or comments, please call OCWD's Explore Ocean Desal Hotline at (714) 378-8243 or email OCWD at oceandesalexploration@ocwd.com.