Evidence- and Science-based Water Quality Protection

Our team works with member experts to create evidence- and science-based water quality protection policies, plans, and regulations impacting the construction industry

Our Mission

CICWQ’s mission is to provide advocacy, education, and research on important water quality issues on behalf of the construction industry. Since its inception, CICWQ has championed funding, planning, design, and construction of multi-benefit, regional urban stormwater collection and retention systems that meet MS4 permit requirements for water pollution control and reduction.

CICWQ is a collaborative organization, seeking partnerships and opportunities for cooperative problem solving which benefits CICWQ members, its partners, and the public. We are grateful for our longstanding relationships with public works agencies throughout southern California and have helped create funding sources for cooperative project agreements and been funded directly in several instances to perform specific research and information-data gathering and analysis assignments. Our staff serves on boards of several community-based organizations and environmental not-for-profit organizations.

MEET OUR TEAM

CICWQ is led by a team of government affairs and technical specialists, under the direction of Senior Vice President Mike Lewis and supported by James Breitling and Mark Grey, Ph.D. CICWQ membership and the governing board are comprised of members of four construction and building industry trade associations in southern California: The Associated General Contractors of California, Building Industry Association of Southern California, Engineering Contractors Association, and Southern California Contractors Association.

Staff

MIKE LEWIS, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

Michael Lewis has worked on local government and community issues in Los Angeles County for nearly 45 years. He served for 16 years as Chief of Staff to Los Angeles County Supervisor Pete Schabarum, supervising a 30-member staff. After leaving the County he formed a government relations consulting firm in 1989. He specializes in air and water quality regulatory matters for the construction industry and land use entitlements for small and large developers. He has a very strong background in coalition-building on behalf of very complex and controversial projects. He has won approvals for projects in Rowland Heights, Diamond Bar…

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MARK GREY, Ph.D., PRINCIPAL TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Mark Grey is the Technical Director for the Construction Industry Coalition on Water Quality (CICWQ). In his capacity, Dr. Grey represents the interests of the construction industry in southern California, principally working in the area of water quality regulatory affairs and water quality policy development. Dr. Grey also directs original applied research projects working collaboratively in the past with San Diego State University and most recently with Orange County Public Works. A primary work focus and area of demonstrated success…

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JAMES BREITLING, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

James Breitling has worked in the California government affairs arena for over 20 years. He brings a wealth of experience in California legislative political and public affairs experience gained from both inside the legislature in the private sector. Currently, James serves as the Director of Government Affairs for the Construction Industry Coalition on Water Quality (CICWQ). The mission of CICWQ is to achieve the goal of clean water by 1) creating and developing essential technical data and information that is based on good science and 2) enhancing and developing…

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CICWQ is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, comprised of committed members from each of the construction industry trade associations listed below. CICWQ meets on the last Wednesday of each month, and produces a detailed agenda and supporting information, focusing on the latest water quality and water reliability regulatory and policy actions impacting the construction industry.

Board of Directors

THE ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF CALIFORNIA

BUILDING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

UNITED CONTRACTORS

PARTNERS

CICWQ collaborates with our partners on various government affairs issues related to water quality regulations, technical specialties within the construction industry, and also on operational levels within our association.

Partners