EL PASO -  The preservation and promotion of El Paso's natural beauty will be the focus of a press conference scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, March 23, by Senator Eliot Shapleigh.  Senator Shapleigh will be joined by El Paso Water Utilities PSB General Manager, Ed Archuleta.

The following bills, authored and filed by Senator Shapleigh, will be discussed:

• Protects Chihuahua desert plants from illegal harvesting and sale (S.B. 689),
  

• Authorizes the General Land Office to transfer 1,800 acres of pristine wilderness to the Mt. Franklin State Park (S.B. 863),
  

• Preserves El Paso arroyos and expand flood protection (S.B. 1588),
  

• Directs the State Water Board to conduct a study of the effects of global climate change on Texas' future water needs (S.B. 1762),
  

• Allows the City of El Paso and the EPWU to provide storm water drainage protection in its extraterritorial jurisdiction (S.B. 688/H.B. 1861).

The press conference will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology at 4301 Transmountain Road.  The museum is located at the base of the Franklin Mountains, on  Transmountain Road just west of U.S. Highway 54.

What:  "Keep El Paso Wild" press briefing on bills filed in the 80th Legislative Session

When:  Friday, March 23, 2007 at 10:30 a.m.

Where:  El Paso Museum of Archaeology at 4301 Transmountain Road.  The museum is located at the base of the Franklin Mountains, on  Transmountain Road just west of U.S. Highway 54.

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E. Anthony Martinez
Communications Director
Office of Senator Eliot Shapleigh
Texas State Capitol – E1.610
Austin, Texas 78711
512.463.0129 (phone)