CTAG Mission and Goals

The Commission’s Technical Advisory Group (CTAG) plays a vital role in the success of SCCWRP and has a mission to:

Maximize the value of SCCWRP’s research for its member agencies by serving as the primary link between SCCWRP, its member agencies, and the SCCWRP Commission.

CTAG’s primary strategy for achieving its mission is informed communication and collaboration among the regulated and regulatory member agencies. A culture of engagement, communication and collaboration not only helps identify relevant research questions and assist in the transfer of SCCWRP research to management relevance, but also helps to determine when that transition is ready to occur.

CTAG is comprised of lead technical staff from each SCCWRP member agency. In addition to this Charter, CTAG has established Operating Guidelines, providing more details on CTAG overarching principles, goal-specific products, and meeting protocols. These documents are available upon request.

CTAG will achieve its mission by focusing on four goals:

1. Promote relevance, timeliness, and adequacy of SCCWRP’s research to its member agencies

SCCWRP focuses on providing unbiased scientific research for water quality assessment and management in Southern California. To promote the relevance, timeliness, and adequacy of SCCWRP’s research, CTAG is expected to:

  • Play an active role in the development of SCCWRP’s Research Plan by communicating member agency research needs and reviewing draft SCCWRP Research Plans.
  • Provide environmental policy and management insights during all phases of SCCWRP’s research.
  • Identify the positive value and limitations to implementation of SCCWRP’s research for member agencies.
  • Transfer scientific and technical information to the member agencies, including management and technical staff.
  • Keep member agencies informed about SCCWRP activities.

2. Promote consistently high quality of SCCWRP’s research

SCCWRP’s research is only valuable to member agencies when the quality of research is irreproachable. CTAG provides the mechanism to ensure the Commission trusts the research quality of SCCWRP scientists and partners. To help maximize the quality of SCCWRP’s research, CTAG is expected to:

  • Review SCCWRP procedures for both internal and external technical review.
  • Review and provide advice during technical presentations at CTAG meetings.
  • Review and comment on SCCWRP draft manuscripts, Annual Reports, and Technical Reports when appropriate.
  • Review SCCWRP project work plans and/or quality assurance project plans as they become available.
  • Sit on SCCWRP project advisory committees when appropriate.

3. Support the SCCWRP Commission’s decision making

The value of SCCWRP research to its member agencies is maximized when the Commission is knowledgeable about the scientific results and management implications of SCCWRP’s research. To support Commission decision making, CTAG is expected to:

  • Engage in interagency interaction at CTAG meetings and report CTAG recommendations, including both consensus and minority positions, to the Commission.
  • Engage in intra-agency interaction by preparing Commissioner briefings, as appropriate.
  • Brief individual Commissioners on Commission agenda items, regarding the state of the science and management implications, to help them prepare for a thorough discussion at the upcoming Commission meeting.

4. Assist SCCWRP in identifying collaborators and mechanisms to leverage SCCWRP resources

SCCWRP research funding is reliant on more than the core member agency dues. In addition, SCCWRP provides leverage to the member agency dues by establishing partnerships with other organizations. To assist SCCWRP in obtaining additional funds and leveraging resources, CTAG is encouraged to:

  • Inform SCCWRP of relevant proposal, grant, and contract opportunities.
  • Seek to engage SCCWRP in member agency research projects, when appropriate.
  • Encourage collaboration from member agency staff members on SCCWRP research projects.
  • Identify partnership opportunities with other scientists conducting research in comparable or related topic areas.