1. Disadvantaged Community Pilot Project Sierra Water Workgroup Summit June 2013

2. California’s North Coast a unique region with a unique identity Size of region Physical and Biotic features – Intact fisheries and watersheds – Not strongly connected via infrastructure Population – Relatively low, expected to increase Demographics & Socio-economic trends – Different lifestyles and outlooks – Financial challenges – Changing economies & opportunities Need for regional planning - Similar issues/challenges - Regional cooperation = effectiveness and more funding resources

3. A Retrospective: The North Coast Integrated Regional Water Management Plan Started in Fall 2004 Established regional boundary Convened Policy Review Panel Convened Technical Peer Review Committee Memorandum of Mutual Understandings (MoMu) Outreach & Stakeholder Education Project Portfolio & Plan Development

4. Water and Wastewater Provider Outreach and Technical Assistance Background Workshops and Trainings Sub-Regional Workgroups Water and Wastewater Provider Survey – Types of Systems included in Survey – Survey Methods – 438 providers contacted, 126 Completed Surveys

5. Water and Wastewater Provider Outreach and Technical Assistance Water and Wastewater Provider Survey Preliminary Results/Observations – Overall interest in participation in the program – Most prevalent problems identified: Aging Infrastructure, personnel training – Most burdensome regulatory challenge: State sampling and testing procedure, particularly with drinking water standards – Relative awareness of existing technical service providers such as Cal Rural Water and Rural Community Assistance Corporation. – Technical Assistance needs: system infrastructure maintenance and repair; funding opportunities/grant writing; system mapping – Training needs: system compliance and operator testing and budgeting, rate setting, and grants

6. Next Steps & Challenges Providing assistance to those most in need Exportable Components Incorporate into Plan Sharing resources Applications for funding Overwhelming amount of need Bringing providers to the table

7. Additional Information Jennifer Jenkins Kuszmar 707.268.3795 jjenkins@co.humboldt.ca.us Karen Gaffney & Katherine Gledhill West Coast Watershed 707.433.7377 www.northcoastirwmp.net