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Update on Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Program in Orange County

Learn about the latest developments in the IRWM Program in Orange County and proposed strategies to address OC stakeholders' concerns regarding project funding allocation.

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Update on Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Program in Orange County

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  1. Update on Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Program in Orange County Water Issues Committee February 13, 2019

  2. Introduction to IRWM • IRWM Program created by state to implement regional programs & distribute IRWM bond funds • Managed by CA Department of Water Resources (DWR)

  3. State Grant Programs

  4. State Grant Programs, cont. IRWM PROGRAM Projects funded

  5. Funding Areas

  6. Formation of Regions • Stakeholders collaborate and prepare IRWM Plan (includes process to select projects for funding) • Application to DWR by ‘Regional Acceptance Process’ (RAP) • DWR approves or disapproves • If approved, Region eligible for grants

  7. 2009 DWR APPROVED REGIONS FOR PROP. 84 South OC Region Administered by County of Orange Santa Margarita Region Projects Funded Projects Funded

  8. Santa Ana Funding Area and Region – One and the Same

  9. OWOW Implementation: OC concerns • Orange County stakeholders goals and priorities not well reflected in OWOW • Distribution of prior grant funding

  10. OWOW Implementation: OC concerns, cont. Board directed staff to pursue two parallel approaches: • Option 1: begin process to create a new region for north Orange County • Option 2: continue working within OWOW

  11. Option 1: New Region for North OC • Extensive collaboration with County of Orange, OCWD, OCSD and other OC stakeholders • Updated IRWM Plan (The OC Plan) with governing body, Regional Water Management Group (RWMG) • RWMG formed by MOU with County, OCWD, & OCSD • County submitted application to DWR to form new IRWM Region in North OC (in 2018)

  12. Option 2: Continue working within OWOW Initial proposal to SAWPA for OWOW modifications: • Incorporate The OC Plan as a separate chapter within the OWOW Plan • Allow for Orange County projects to be ranked and prioritized for IRWM funding through The OC Plan process • Allocation of 38% of total available grant funds (based on land area and population)

  13. Option 1 – New Region for North OC • Pros • Projects selected for grant funding based on OC priorities • Cons • OC projects could receive little to no funding • DWR selects projects • Competing with upper watershed portion of SAWPA

  14. Option 2 – Continue in Modified OWOW • OC stakeholders choose portfolio of projects for grant funding • OC receives a guaranteed amount of funds based on agreement with SAWPA

  15. Status of Current Discussions with SAWPA • Agreed that OC projects funded based on OC rankings • Use project rankings in The OC Plan • Discussing approach of 1/3 of Prop 1 IRWM grant funds for Orange County

  16. Recommendation (revised) Agendize for February 20 Board meeting: - Direct staff to prepare Memorandum of Understanding with SAWPA, OCWD, County of Orange and OCSD that defines (1) incorporation of OC Plan into SAWPA OWOW Program, (2) selection process for OC Projects to receive funding, (3) allocation of 1/3 of Prop 1 IRWM funds to Orange County

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