One-Stop Permit Center Opens in Greater Oakland

For Immediate Release (C-41-96)
Contact: Communications Office (916) 324-9670
November 6, 1996

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

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

Secretary for Environmental Protection James M. Strock described the Center, which brings together permitting authorities from state local and regional 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 local government, industry, and others to better protect our environment and advance our economy."

The center is the eleventh Permit Assistance Center (PAC) to open, with others in Contra Costa County, Santa Clara, Kern, Fresno, Ontario (with a satellite office in Riverside), Santa Ana, San Diego, and two in the Los Angeles area. These centers have helped more than 25,000 customers.  The Greater Oakland Permit Assistance Center is located at City of Oakland, Central Permit Counter, 1330 Broadway, Second Floor, Oakland, California, and is open to help environmental permit applicants Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Operating the Greater Oakland Permit Assistance Center are staff from Cal/EPA's Department of Toxic Substances Control, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and the Alameda County Health Care Service Agency's Department of Environmental Health.

Contributing to creation of the Center include the Economic Development Alliance for Business, the City of Oakland, and Community and Economic Development Agency.

The Centers provide a variety of services to customers including:

• Permit Identification and Issuance
• Regulatory Compliance Assistance
• On-Site Permit Expertise from State and Local Agencies
• Early Assistance "Roundtable" meetings
• Identification of Recurring Procedural and Regulatory Roadblocks
• Consultation Services

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