Staff lays out schedule: consolidated draft, public listening session and 30-day comment period

State Water Board staff outlined the procedural schedule and public-review steps the panel should expect as it consolidates draft responses:

- Target consolidated draft: Jan. 14, 2026 (staff noted the group will discuss on Dec. 5 whether more time is needed).
- Planned public listening session: Dec. 17, 2025, with a virtual option and an in-person notice to follow.
- Anticipated public comment period: 30 days after staff releases the draft for public review; staff said they typically need 2–3 business days to process meeting summaries and drafts and that release timings must respect noticing requirements.

Sam McGill reminded panelists to submit written comments for consolidation and distribution; staff asked for clean drafts or comments by Dec. 1 to allow compilation in time for January meetings. State Board staff also cautioned about Bagley-Keene serial-meeting rules: once a document carries attributed comments it requires formal distribution and panelists should avoid serially exchanging those attributed drafts outside public meetings.

Erica (State Board staff) confirmed staff will host an additional public workshop during the public-comment period and that the panel can request extensions to meet notice requirements if needed. The panel closed with agreement to reconvene Dec. 5 and continue refining responses ahead of January consolidation.