The Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD) recently released the Draft 2014 Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Plan Update for the Monterey Peninsula Region. DD&A staff developed and implemented a collaborative, multi-stakeholder process during the two year process and crafted the plan update. The plan update provides tools and resources for addressing priority water resource issues, conflicts, and constraints.
The State, with administration by the Department of Water Resources (DWR), is encouraging the development and implementation of IRWM Plans and projects through grant programs authorized by Proposition 50, Proposition 84, and Proposition 1E, which are bond acts passed by California voters in 2002 and 2006. MPWMD is the lead agency for IRWM planning for the Monterey Peninsula region. The Plan Update, which covers the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel Bay, and South Monterey Bay region, encourages local and regional agencies to implement projects focused on meeting multiple water resources goals and objectives using an integrated approach. The region qualifies to compete for specific state funding after state approval the IRWM Plan Update. For more information on the DWR IRWM program visit http://www.water.ca.gov/irwm/.
DD&A staff has exemplary experience and knowledge of water resource and environmental planning as demonstrated by the record of project success over the last 30 years in the Monterey and Central Coast regions. More recently, DD&A has experience working for dozens of water-related agencies and private water companies in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Santa Clara Counties. Several grant solicitations from various state and federal agencies are occurring throughout this year and into next year that will require consistency with the relevant IRWM Plan(s). DD&A staff can provide assistance to entities pursing grants from state and federal funding agencies based on their expertise with the IRWM Plan and state water planning goals and objectives
To learn more or review a copy of the Draft Monterey Peninsula IRWM Plan Update, visit the region’s IRWM website at www.mpirwm.org. The MPWMD Board of Directors is scheduled to consider adoption of the IRWM Plan Update at their June 23, 2014, meeting.