Borrego Valley Integrated Regional Water Management Planning

1. Borrego Valley Integrated Regional Water Management Planning

2. Welcome and Self Introductions

3. What is an IRWMP? • Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP) • Funding areas established under Proposition 84 • A grant program • Provides grant funding for projects that assist local public agencies: • To meet long-term water needs • To protect water quality and the environment. • Administered by DWR

4. Prop 84 Funding Areas

5. Prop 84 Funding - $1 Billion for IRWMP • $900M Allocated to 11 Funding Areas • $100M unallocated • Prop 1E Storm water/ flood Mgmt • $300 M

6. The Borrego Valley IRWMP Area

7. Borrego Valley IRWMP Area

8. BV Water Management Region is bounded - • West - watershed boundary and San Diego Region • North – • Upper Santa Margarita • Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority • Coachella Valley • East - Imperial Region • South - Mexico

9. Characteristics of Region • Estimated population – 4000+ • Tourism/golf destination • Agricultural • Arid region – at risk for severe flooding • Tribal lands • Disadvantaged communities • Unincorporated communities

10. Characteristics of Region Water Supplies and Sewer Service • Groundwater basin provides 100 % of urban and agricultural water needs • Agriculture is largest water consumer, followed by recreation use • 1 pubic water supply and sewering agency • Most domestic use is on septic tanks • 2 Community Service Districts • 1 County Water District

11. What Kind of Projects are Eligible for Funding? Water supply reliability, water conservation and water use efficiency Storm water capture, storage, clean-up, treatment, and management Removal of invasive non-native species Acquisition, protection, and restoration of open space and watershed lands

12. What Kind of Projects are Eligible (con’t)? Non-point source pollution reduction, management and monitoring Groundwater recharge and management projects Contaminant and salt removal through reclamation, desalting, and other treatment technologies Conveyance of reclaimed water for distribution to users

13. What Kind of Projects Eligible? (con’t) • Water banking, exchange, reclamation and improvement of water quality • Planning and implementation of multipurpose flood management programs • Watershed protection and Drinking water treatment and distribution • Ecosystem and fisheries restoration and protection

14. IRWM Plan development is First Step in Funding Process • Identify and address major water related objectives and conflicts • Consider all California Water Plan Resource Management Strategies • Use an integrated, multi-benefit approach to project selection • Include performance measures and monitoring to document progress toward meeting plan objectives

15. IRWM Program Goals • Improve water supply reliability • Protect & improve water quality • Ensure sustainability through environmental stewardship • Promote multiple benefits • Promote integration and regional planning

16. How will IRWMP goals be accomplished? • Combined efforts of 3 local agencies • Borrego Water District • Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County • San Diego County • Broad stakeholder participation • Community councils • Environmental/Resource • Special interest groups • Tribes • School Districts • Groundwater pumpers • Large irrigators • Individual well owners

17. Structure ofthe East County IRWMP

18. Steering/Policy Committee • The BWD is the sole domestic water supplier in the Borrego Springs area and the AB 3030 Groundwater Management agency for the Borrego Valley Groundwater Basin • The County of San Diego has regulatory control of over land uses over nearly the entire area within the County • The RCD is a special district organized to provide conservation education, to conduct research, soil and water conservation, wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration, control of exotic plant species, and watershed restoration.

19. Steering/Policy Committee Role • Final decision making body • Prepares proposals for funding • Establishes contract relationship between State and project proponents

20. Stakeholders and Public Advisory Subcommittee • Golf Course Association of Borrego Valley • Save Our Aquifer Coalition • The Sponsor Group • Agricultural Alliance for Water and Resource Education • Anza-Borrego Desert State Park • Any resident of the area that would like to participate in the process.

21. Stakeholder Role • Identify regional and local issues • Propose projects to address issues • Establish project priority list

22. Technical and Resource Subcommittee • Comprised of the local residents that have technical backgrounds and desire to provide input to the groundwater issues of the region • As needed, the USGS, DWR and State Water Board will provide assistance to this this subcommittee.

23. Technical and Resource Subcommittee Role • Provide credible technical information about long-term water needs and impacts of water use in excess of supply, water quality, water reliability and the environment.

24. Public Education and Outreach Subcommittee • Comprised of volunteers and appointed members by Steering Committee • Use Borrego Sun in Borrego Valley • Develop outreach material for dissemination on BWD website and through mailings

25. IRWM Plans are Developed through a Stakeholder Process

26. Where Are We Now? • Borrego Valley Regional Water Management Group (BVRWMG) • Created in June 2009 • Approved as a region and working group in September of 2009 • First Public Meeting to kick off the process in January 2010

27. What Lies Ahead? • Phase I • Develop approach for outreach • Initiate outreach • Engage stakeholders in process • Identification of issues • Produce draft plan • Phase II • Identify and assess projects • Complete environmental review • Finalize Plan (by July, 2010) • Phase III - monitor funding opportunities • Planning grant • Implementation grant

28. Thank you Questions?

29. Your Input • Name of Region? • Dates for first meeting of? • Stakeholders Subcommittee • Technical Subcommittee • Outreach Subcommittee