A group of Valley residents this month will make their sixth annual Sacramento trip to tell lawmakers how important air quality is to them.

And they say it would be wise for lawmakers to listen.

They say their efforts, which have grown in public support from 75 people in 2003 to 150 last year, have helped pass landmark air quality law. The trip, called "Action Day," is scheduled Aug. 20.

The organizing group, called the Central Valley Air Quality Coalition, says the support was one reason for the passage of Sen. Dean Florez's Senate Bill 700 series, which elimintated a farm exemption to some air rules as well as phasing out ag burning.

The Central Valley Air Quality Coalition consists of more than 70 community, medical, public health, environmental and environmental justice organizations representing thousands of Valley residents. Those interested in the Aug. 20 trip should call (559) 486-3279, extension 2.