1. Water Issues Committee February 13, 2019
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 Bonds (voter approved)
State agency administers grants
Bonds (voter approved)
Projects funded

4. State Grant Programs, cont.
State agency administers grants
Bonds (voter approved)
Regions
Funding Areas
IRWM PROGRAM
Projects funded

5. Funding Areas – defined in bond
Regions
Funding Areas – defined in bond
Projects Funded

6. Formation of Regions Regions Funding Area
Projects Funded
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
San Diego Region
San Diego Funding Area
Projects Funded
Santa Ana Region Administered by SAWPA – OWOW Program
Santa Ana Funding Area
Projects Funded
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
Upper watershed portion of SAWPA
Projects ranked by OWOW process & portfolio submitted by SAWPA to DWR
New Region for North OC
Projects ranked by OC process & portfolio submitted by OC to DWR
DWR selects projects for funding

14. Option 2 – Continue in Modified OWOW
Projects ranked by OC Plan & portfolio submitted to DWR through SAWPA
DWR approves portfolio
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