<your name> 
<your return address> 
<your city, state, and zip> 

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 
95814

<date> 

Dear Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, 

	I have been studying the effects that coastal communities create by the withdrawal of groundwater from coastal aquifers. Large demands of freshwater are needed from these coastal aquifers and can be a leading cause of saltwater intrusion. Intrusion of saltwater to coastal aquifers occurs because declines in pressure levels from over withdrawals of the aquifer. The decrease in pressure combined with fractures and pathways in the aquifer bedrock can allow for seawater encroachment into the coastal aquifer (USGS, 2005). 
While conducting my research, I noticed that the Los Angeles Basin is currently experiencing this problem, mostly developing near San Pedro Bay and surrounding aquifer systems.  According to this U.S. Geological Survey publication, back in the 1950s, injection wells were constructed in an attempt to divert this intrusion of seawater (USGS, 2005). This attempt was partially successful and rather quite expensive. Since then, no further attempts have been made to try to solve this ongoing problem. Other solutions do exist. Underground dams, nitrogen gas injection, and directional drilling are just a few. 
What does the state of California plan on doing about this current problem? What alternative approaches have you or your advisors come up with in order to decrease or possibly reduce the amount of saltwater intrusion that is taking place in the Los Angeles Basin? 
I would really appreciate a response to what measures the state of California is taking to prevent saltwater intrusion to its coastal aquifers, and what solutions do you think are appropriate for Los Angeles specific case. Thank you for your time. 

Sincerely, 
	<your name>

Edwards, Brian D., Evans, Kevin R., United States Geological Survey, 2005. Saltwater Intrusion in Los Angeles Area Coastal Aquifers- The Marine Connection. U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 030–02