OC Watersheds Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM)
Grants
Integrated Regional Water Management Grants (IRWM) is a collaborative effort to
manage all aspects of water resources in a region. IRWM differs from traditional
approaches to water resource management by integrating all facets of water supply,
water quality, waste water treatment, and flood storm water management. IRWM crosses
jurisdictional, watershed, and political boundaries; involves multiple agencies,
stakeholders, individuals and groups; and attempts to address the issues and differing
perspectives of all entities involved through mutually beneficial solutions.
In November 2002, California voters passed Proposition 50, the Water Security, Clean
Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002 to fund competitive grants
for projects consistent with an adopted IRWM plan. The grant program was run as
a joint effort between the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the
State Water Resources Control Board to provide both planning and implementation
grants to IRWM efforts.
DWR has released draft guidelines for Proposition 84 and 1E grants that will improve
water management throughout the State. The Proposition 84 and 1E grant cycles will
provide at least $11 million to South Orange County over the next few years. The
first round of grants is expected in the fall of 2010. Round 2 may occur in 2011,
with Round 3 to follow in 2013. To be eligible for this grant funding, a project
must be part of the IRWM Plan. Examples of projects that may be supported by these
grants include water conservation programs, recycled water retrofits, infrastructure
upgrades, pollution reduction activities, and habitat conservation and preservation.
On July 27, 2010 DWR released the
Final Guidelines for the Proposition 84/1E IRWM Grant program. These guidelines
are intended to establish the general process, procedures, and criteria that DWR
uses to implement each IRWM Grant Program. DWR has a number of IRWM grant program
funding opportunities. Current IRWM grant programs include: planning, implementation,
and stormwater flood management. The Proposal Solicitation Packages (PSP) for the
Planning grant is available from DWR at the state’s website. The Proposal
Solicitation Packages (PSP) for the
Stormwater Flood Management grant is available from DWR at the state’s website.
The Proposal Solicitation Packages (PSP) for the
Implementation grant is available from DWR at the state’s website
Complimentary grant funds will also be provided by Proposition 1E for storm water
management and flood control projects. Proposition 1E authorized $300 million for
the State’s IRWM grant program. Individual Proposition 1E grant applications must
be consistent with the local IRWM Plan.
Call for Projects
The South Orange County IRWM Group is now accepting projects aimed at diversifying
water sources by developing a variety of local opportunities to decrease the reliance
on imported sources. Stakeholders may submit water management projects using our
online project information form.
Please submit project forms and questions to
Marilyn Thomas.
For North and Central
WMA’s, project forms are on the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority (SAWPA) website
at http://www.sawpa.org/.
Please submit forms directly to SAWPA with a cc to
Beatrice Musacchia
the North Orange County Project Manager and
Ann Mesa
the Central Orange County Project Manager if you
would like your project included in our local plans. SAWPA is requesting project
forms by June 30, 2010.
IRWM establishes a prioritization process to determine which projects best meet
regions needs. The prioritization process is intended to be a transparent and defensible
method that encourages the development and submittal of projects that are best suited
to meeting the identified needs of the region. Project scoring was developed to
rate projects on their ability to do the following:
- project readiness
- contribute to regional objectives;
- integrate multiple water management strategies;
- provide multiple benefits;
- benefit the entire region;
- benefit disadvantaged communities;
- address environmental justice needs;
- build upon other local and regional planning efforts; and
- foster partnerships among entities.
The following contract requirements are anticipated based on the draft Proposition
84/1E guidelines:
- Eligibility – Eligible grant recipients are public agencies, non-profit organizations,
and tribal governments that are IRWM stakeholders.
- Consistency With Adopted IRWM Plan – Any implementation project must be consistent
with the adopted 2007 IRWM Plan.
- Funding Match – Funding match includes all project funds made available by the grant
recipient from non-state sources, including federal funds, local funds, and/or in-kind
services. All State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans are considered to be State funds.
The funding match for Proposition 84 is anticipated to be 25 percent of total project
costs. The funding match required for proposition 1E is anticipated to be 50 percent
of total project costs.
- 10% Retention – For each project, DWR will withhold a minimum 10 percent of the
funds requested for reimbursement of eligible costs until the project is completed
and the grant recipient has met all reporting requirements.
- Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) Compliance – Urban water suppliers subject to
the Urban Water Management Planning Act (CWC §10610 et seq.) must have a submitted
and completed UWMP to be eligible for IRWM grant funding.
- AB 1420 Compliance – Water management grants to urban water suppliers are conditioned
on implementation of the Foundational Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the California
Urban Water Conservation Council MOU (available at
http://www.cuwcc.org/mou-main-page.aspx).
- Groundwater Management Plan (GWMP) Compliance – For groundwater management and recharge
projects, the grant recipient or partners must demonstrate that they have prepared
and implemented a GWMP or other basin-wide management plan that meets the requirements
of CWC §10753.7; that the project includes development of a GWMP that meets the
requirements of CWC §10753.7 which will be completed within 1-year of the grant
application submittal; or that they conform to the requirements of an adjudication
of water rights in the subject groundwater basin.
- Labor Compliance Program – Any grant recipient financing a public works project
with IRWM grant funds must adopt and enforce a Labor Compliance Program pursuant
to California Labor Code §1771.5(b).
- CEQA Compliance – All activities funded under the IRWM program must be in compliance
with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code §21000
et seq.).
- Watershed Management Plan Consistency – Any watershed protection activities must
be consistent with the applicable, adopted, local watershed management plans and
the applicable Regional Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) adopted by the Regional
Water Quality Control Board (CWC §79507).
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