One-Stop Permit Center Opens in Contra Costa County

For Immediate Release (C-07-96)
Contact: Communications Office (916) 324-9670
February 15, 1996

555 Capitol Mall, Suite 525
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 324-9670
FAX (916) 445-5563

Martinez-- Continuing Governor Wilson's program to reinvigorate California's economic and environmental leadership through regulatory reform and improved customer service, the Contra Costa Regional Permit Assistance Center opened today.

Secretary for Environmental Protection James M. Strock described the Center, which brings together permitting authorities from state and local government, as another example of the State's determination to simplify the permitting process for employers.

"At the direction of Governor Wilson, Cal/EPA has taken the lead in establishing permit assistance centers to bring together all levels of government in the business permitting process," Strock said. "We are pleased to work with the Contra Costa Economic Partnership, Assemblyman Rainey, the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors, industry and others to better protect our environment and advance our economy.  In November we heard strong support for this center during Cal/EPA's regulatory reform meeting in Walnut Creek, and I am pleased to be able to open the Center today."

The center is the ninth Permit Assistance Center (PAC) to open, with others in San Jose,  Fresno, Ontario (with a satellite office in Riverside), Santa Ana, San Diego, and two in the  Los Angeles area. 

Another PAC is scheduled to open in Bakersfield early next month.  The PAC is located at County Administrative Building, 651 Pine Street, Martinez and is open to help environmental permit applicants Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but like the county building, is closed on alternating Fridays.

Operating the Contra Costa Regional Permit

Assistance Center are staff from Cal/EPA's Department of Toxic Substances Control, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District,and the Contra Costa Environmental Health Department.  Agencies Contributing to creation of the Center include the Contra Costa Economic Partnership, the Contra Costa County and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

The Centers provide a variety of services to customers including:

• Permit identification and issuance
• Early assistance "roundtable" meetings
• Regulatory expertise 
• Consultation services
• Financial/business assistance program information
• Providing feedback for future regulatory reform

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