SDIRWM Highlights

7/28/2019 SDIRWM Highlights

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The City of San Diego County of San Diego

Public Draft - June 2013

An Update of the 2007 San Diego

Integrated Regional Water Management Plan

Prepared by the Regional Water Management Groupin collaboraon with the Regional Advisory Commiee


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Download the complete 2013 San Diego IRWM Plan at: www.sdirwmp.org

Photo credit to:Rob Hutsel, San Diego River Park Foundation

Jeff Pasek, City of San Diego

Kim Thorner, Olivenhain Municipal Water District


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SanDiegoIntegratedRegionalWaterManagementPlan

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Complexityof WaterManagement in

San Diego Region

The San Diego Region includeseleven coastal watersheds

San Juan

San Luis Rey

San Dieguito

San Diego

Sweetwater

TijuanaOtay

Pueblo

Penasquitos

Carlsbad

Santa Margarita

Pacific Ocean

San Diego County

Integrated Regional Water Management in the San Diego RegionThe San Diego Integrated Regional WaterManagement (IRWM) Region is a complexarea that extends east from the PacificOcean, through one of the most populousareas in the nation, to the ridgeline ofa forested mountain range. The verydiversity of the Region ensures that it facesmany water management challenges. The

challenges include:

Eleven parallel watersheds that generallyempty to coastal bays, estuaries,lagoons, and the ocean.

The Regions great diversity ofhabitat types supporting many rare,threatened, and endangered plant andanimal species. The Region has moreendemic species than any comparableland area in the nation.

Highly variable rainfall totals. Coastalareas average 10 inches per year, butmay receive 17 inches in a wet year or3 inches in a dry year. High mountainareas receive as much as 40 inches ofrain.

Negligible groundwater supplies.Groundwater is projected to contribute4% of the Regions water supply in2020.

Heavy reliance on imported water.

Because local water supplies are farless than water demands, the Regionimports up to 80% of its water supplies.Future water supply reliability iscontingent on the Regions ability toinnovate in the development of local

water supply projects.

Major water quality challenges, suchas non-point source pollution, indicatorbacteria, sediment, nutrients, salinity,metals, and toxic organic compounds insurface water bodies that indicate theimportance of watershed protection.

Eighteen federally recognized tribes and

scattered disadvantaged communities inboth urban and rural areas. Tribes anddisadvantaged communities both haveunique water management issues thatmust be addressed.

Complexity due to the Regionsproximity to the international border,

with water issues that involve both theUnited States and Mexico.

IRWM offers a forum to bring together thediversity of stakeholders into a collabora-

tive approach to water management withimproved effectiveness and efficiency. TheIRWM model, while still evolving, offers theSan Diego Region an enhanced approachfor sustainable water management.


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2013IRWMPlan

InnovativeApproach to WaterManagement Planning for

the San Diego Region

2013 IRWM PlanIRWM planning is an innovative way todevelop long-term water supply reliability,improve water quality, and protect naturalresources. IRWM is not new to the SanDiego Region local agencies have been

working together for years to implementmulti-benefit projects with the overarchinggoal of sustainable water management.The statewide IRWM Grant Program,managed by the California Departmentof Water Resources, is supported byProposition 50 (2002) and Proposition 84(2006), both of which provide bond fundingfor competitive grants for projects thatimprove water resources management.

IRWM Plans are regional plans designed toimprove collaboration in water resourcesmanagement and comprehensivelyaddress all aspects of water management

and planning throughout an IRWM Region.IRWM Plans cross jurisdictional, watershed,and political boundaries; involve multipleagencies, stakeholders, individuals, andgroups; and attempt to address the issuesand differing perspectives of all the entitiesinvolved through mutually beneficial solutions.

The San Diego IRWM Program beganin 2005, and since then has achieved

remarkable success. San Diego publishedits first IRWM Plan in 2007 and hasreceived $34 million to date in state grantfunding.

Like the 2007 Plan, this 2013 IRWM Planwas prepared by the San Diego RegionalWater Management Group (RWMG), which

consists of the San Diego County WaterAuthority, the City of San Diego, and theCounty of San Diego.

The 2013 Plan is a comprehensive updateof the 2007 Plan. The 2013 Plan addressesthe San Diego IRWM Region, whichcomprises the watersheds of San DiegoCounty that are tributary to coastal waters.It builds upon local water and resourcemanagement plans within the Region, and

was developed with input from an array of

water management stakeholders. The Planprovides a mechanism for stakeholders to

work together to overcome potential waterresource management constraints andeffectively implement water managementprojects that achieve regional watermanagement objectives.

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IRWM Program AccomplishmentsThe San Diego IRWM Program continuesto evolve to adapt to changing conditionsand meet regional needs. Following is abrief timeline and an outline of the majoraccomplishments that the Program hasachieved during its eight-year tenure.

2005 |Completion of a Memorandumof Understanding (MOU) betweenthe City of San Diego, County of SanDiego, and San Diego County Water

Authority, who collectively comprisethe RWMG. The MOU formalizedthe agenciescommitment to fund,

guide, and manage development andimplementation of the IRWM Program.

2006 | Establishment of the RegionalAdvisory Committee (RAC), a collectionof diverse professionals with a stake in

water management in the Region. TheRAC has met 43 times since its inceptionand is responsible for providing input andfeedback to the RWMG with regards toregional planning and funding activities.

2007 |Finalization and adoption of the

2007 San Diego IRWM Plan. The 2007Plan laid the groundwork for enhancedcollaborative water resources projects byfacilitating cooperation between publicagencies and non-profit organizations inpursuit of IRWM grant funding.

2008 | DWR awarded the San DiegoIRWM Region $25 million to support19 high-priority local projects underProposition 50.

2009 |The Region completed DWRsRegion Acceptance Process and receivedformal approval of the Regions boundaries.

2009 | The San Diego RWMG andmanagement groups from the otherIRWM Regions (Upper Santa Margaritaand South Orange County) in the SanDiego Funding Area formed the Tri-County Funding Area CoordinatingCommittee (FACC) as a collaborativeinter-regional body. With formation ofthe Tri-County FACC, the San DiegoFunding Area became the first and onlyfunding area in the state to formalizea grant funding agreement to allocateIRWM funding between IRWM planning

regions.2010 |DWR awarded the San DiegoIRWM region a $1 million grantaward to conduct stakeholder outreach,complete planning studies, and preparethe 2013 IRWM Plan.

2011 |DWR awarded the San DiegoIRWM region $8 million to implement11 high-priority local projects underProposition 84-Round 1.

2012 |The San Diego Region kicked

off planning efforts to update the 2007IRWM Plan. Initial outreach effortsincluded an IRWM Summit to raiseawareness among the public andstakeholders about development of the2013 IRWM Plan.

2013 |The San Diego Region submitteda $10.5 million implementation grantapplication to implement 7 high-priority local projects with potentialgrant funding support from Proposition

84-Round 2.2013 | The San Diego Regioncompleted the 2013 IRWM Plan.

The San Diego IRWM Program has taken the initial steps of bringing together organizationsand individuals from diverse backgrounds, interests, and perspectives to work toward

achieving a shared vision needed to guide the protection, management, and use of theregion's water resources for the mutual benefit of people, wildlife, and habitats.

Kirk Ammerman, Principal Civil Engineer | City of Chula Vista


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Integrated, balanced &consensus-based approach

to water Sustainability

2013 IRWM Vision, Mission, Goals and Objectives

IRWM Plan Vision:An integrated, balanced, and consensus-based approach to ensuring the long-termsustainability of the Regions water supply,

water quality, and natural resources.

IRWM Plan Mission:To develop and implement an integrated

strategy to guide the Region towardprotecting, managing, and developingreliable and sustainable water resources.Through a stakeholder-driven and adaptiveprocess, the Region can develop solutionsto water-related issues and conflicts thatare economically and environmentallypreferable, and that provide equitableresource protection for the entire Region.

IRWM Plan Goals:In accordance with the IRWM Plan visionand mission statement, the RWMG, RAC,and regional stakeholders updated thefour IRWM Plan goals:

1 | Improve the reliability andsustainability of regional water

supplies.2 | Protect and enhance water quality.

3 | Protect and enhance our watershedsand natural resources.

4 | Promote and support sustainableintegrated water resourcemanagement.

All IRWM-funded projects must meet Objective A, Objective B,and at least one other objective.

Objective A:Encourage the developmentof integrated solutions to address watermanagement issues and conflicts.Implement projects and programsthat effectively address local watermanagement issues and conflicts throughsix types of integration: (1) Partnerships,(2) Resource Management, (3) BeneficialUses, (4) Geography, (5) Hydrology, and(6) Sustainability.

Objective B:Maximize stakeholder/community involvement and stewardship of

water resources, emphasizing education andoutreach. Implement efforts to engage andeducate the public on the IRWM Programand the interconnectedness of water supply,

water quality, and natural resources. Buildstewardship throughout the Region byproviding opportunities to participate in

water management and promote individualand community ownership of water resource

problems and solutions.Objective C:Effectively obtain, manage,and assess water resource data andinformation. Increase and expand sharing,integration, and comprehensive analysisof water resource and water quality datato provide a basis for improved waterresources management.

Objective D:Further the scientific and technicalfoundation of water management. Promoteactions, programs, and projects that increasescientific knowledge and understandingof water management issues and supportscience-based regulations and requirements.Coordinate with regulatory agencies toassess and resolve ambiguous or conflictingregulatory standards or requirements.


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Objective E:Develop and maintaina diverse mix of water resources,encouraging their efficient use and

development of local water supplies.Continue to develop diverse waterresources to meet local supply andconservation goals, reduce dependenceon imported water supplies, and increase

water supply reliability. A diverse mix ofwater resources includes imported water,water transfers, recycled water, waterconservation, desalination, local surface

water, and groundwater.

Objective F:Construct, operate, and

maintain a reliable water managementinfrastructure system. Construct, operate,and maintain water conveyance,treatment, storage, and distributionfacilities that comprise a reliable waterinfrastructure system consistent with thefuture planned mix of water resources, andprovide flexibility in system operations.

Objective G:Enhance natural hydrologicprocesses to reduce the effects ofhydromodification and encourageintegrated flood management.Restoreand enhance natural hydrologic processes,and promote best management practicesthat reduce negative effects on naturalstream systems and local water supplyreservoirs. Reduce runoff from impervioussurfaces, erosion, sedimentation,and flooding. Use integrated floodmanagement to holistically address floodissues, water quality, natural resources,and other water management concerns.

Objective H: Effectively reduce sources of

pollutants and environmental stressors toprotect and enhance human health, safety,and the environment. Reduce pollutantsand environmental stressors to maintainor improve water quality through theapplication of point and non-point source

control, stormwater best managementpractices, management measures such asland use planning and conservation, and

reservoir management. Reduce pollutantloads to protect the health and safety ofhumans and the environment.

Objective I:Protect, restore, and maintainhabitat and open space. Manage andacquire land to preserve open space andprotect sensitive habitat for endangered,threatened, and locally-important plantand wildlife species. Invasive speciesmanagement, habitat conservation, and

water pollution prevention activities will help

to maintain and enhance biological diversity.Objective J:Optimize water-basedrecreational opportunities.Protect andprovide access to water-based recreationalactivities such as swimming, fishing,boating, as well as picnicking and hikingalong waterways, while ensuring that therecreational activities do not adverselyaffect other beneficial uses of water.Improve public safety in water-basedrecreational areas so that members of theRegion can use them freely.

Objective K:Effectively address climatechange through greenhouse gasreduction, adaptation, or mitigation in

water resource management.Adapt to thepotential effects of climate change, suchas sea-level rise, temperature changes,and rainfall variability, by implementingclimate-proof water managementprojects and programs. Incorporategreenhouse gas emissions reductionand energy efficiency in planning and

management efforts.


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San Diego is a Diverse Region with Significant Water ManagementOpportunities and Challenges

Groundwater, inland surface waters, andcoastal waters within the Region supporta wide variety of water supply needs,recreational uses, and important ecosystemsand habitats. Like many urbanizedareas in California and throughout thenation, the Region faces challenges inensuring the long-term sustainability andenhancement of its water supply, waterquality, and watershed resources.

San Diego is a culturally diverse arearepresenting national and ethnic

communities from throughout the world.The Regions diverse ethnic minoritygroups have comprised the majority ofthe San Diego County population sinceapproximately 2010. The total population

within the Region is projected to increaseby 27% by the year 2035.

Water management is complex andincludes multiple public managementagencies. Natural water demarcationsare unlikely to correspond to political

jurisdictions, and each of the Regionswatersheds span multiple cities andagencies. This creates jurisdictionalcomplexity in the Region, adding to thechallenges of water management.

San Diego Countys Gross RegionalProduct exceeded $186 billion during2011, of which the top industries aremanufacturing, tourism, defense,telecommunications, and agriculture.

Agriculture in the County produces over

$1.68 billion in crops. The highest valuecrops include nursery plants ($1 billion)and avocados ($208 million). Over300,000 acres in the County are dedicatedto agricultural production.

FY 2012 WaterDemand byCustomerSector Use

Examples of Local Supply IRWM Projects

Pipeline for the largest desalination plant inthe nation expected to meet up to 7% of

regional demand

Pilot projects to investigate feasibility andsafety of potable reuse adding advancedtreated recycled water into potable supplies

Expansion and interconnection of

recycled water systems throughout thenorthern coastal areas

Examples of Water Quality IRWM Projects

Santa Margarita River nutrient assessments interregional, collaborative effort to assess

appropriate water quality objectives protectiveof beneficial uses

Programs to improve surface and drinkingwater quality in disadvantaged communities

Water demand in the Region is dividedbetween several broad categories ofuse. Agriculture uses 9% of the Regionsdemand, while the remaining 91% servesresidential, commercial, public, and otheruses.

Source: Water AuthorityFY 2012 Annual Report

66%

Residential

13%

Commercial &Industrial

12%

Public & Other

9%

Agriculture


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Water SuppliesThe San Diego County Water Authority(Water Authority) is the sole imported

water wholesale agency within theRegion; its member water agencies withinthe San Diego Region serve 98% of thecountys population. Depending uponlocal hydrologic conditions, water suppliesdelivered by the Water Authority to itsmember agencies comprise up to 80% ofthe Regions water supply.

The Region has 25 water supply reservoirs,of which 17 are at least partially suppliedby imported water, while 8 rely entirely on

local water sources. In 2010, local surfacewater provided approximately 27,300 AF.The 24 groundwater basins in the Regionprovide an average of only 18,300 AF peryear (AFY). Groundwater occurs in formationsthat are not cost-effective to develop asprimary water supply sources.

Precipitation in the Region follows a strongseasonal pattern; most precipitation occursfrom November through April, while mostevaporation occurs during summer and

autumn months. Over the past 65 years,the Region has depended largely onimported water.

Development of local water supplyopportunities is an important step inreducing the Regions reliance on imported

water supplies and increasing watersupply reliability. Recycled water has beenidentified as an important local watersource, with recycled water use projected

to increase substantially from currentlevels (24,000 AFY in 2012) through

indirect and direct potable reuse.

Water Quality

The San Diego Regional Water QualityBoard (Regional Board) has listed over65 inland surface waters and 45 coastal

waters or beach segments in the Regionas having impaired water quality becausethey do not comply with applicable waterquality standards. The Regional Board hascompleted Total Daily Maximum Loads(TMDLs) for several of the water quality

impaired surface waters, and has initiatedTMDLs for a number of others.

IRWM stakeholders have identified keychallenges associated with strengthening thescientific basis for water quality standards,and increasing the Regions understandingof the impact of human activities on waterbodies and beneficial uses.

Flood and Storm Waters

There is a high risk of flooding in many

areas of the Region, from both rainfalland urban runoff. The central and easternportions of San Diego County are mostsusceptible to flash floods where mountaincanyons, dry creek beds, and high desertsare the prevailing terrain.

Stormwater in the Region is diverted toeach agencys municipal separate stormsewer system (MS4). Because MS4s arenot required to provide treatment prior

Metropolitan

Canal Lining Transfer

Local Surface Water

Local Groundwater

FY 2012 Water Supply Sources

Recycled Water

Conservation

Imperial Irrigation District Transfer

Source: Water Authority FY 2012 Annual Report

45%

13%10

%

3%

4%

11%

14%


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to discharging collected stormwater, theycan present a water quality challenge,as stormwater can have high levels of

pollutants collected during runoff. TheMS4s in the Region also collect runoff fromover-irrigation, which can carry pesticides,fertilizers, and anything that is dumpedinto storm drains, such as oil or trash. Asthe Region continues to grow, addressingthe problem of pollution from stormwaterand the MS4 will be imperative.

Disadvantaged Communities

Disadvantaged communities (DACs) aredefined as communities with a Median

Household Income (MHI) of 80% or less ofthe statewide MHI. Thirty-six communities

within the San Diego IRWM Region qualifyas DACs. The majority of these are urbanDACs, which fall within the service areaof a water or wastewater agency. Theremaining eleven DACs are rural, and arenot provided municipal water supplies.Often DACs lack the financial andtechnical resources to design, implement,operate, and maintain reliable water

projects of any scale.Urban DACs

Because urban DACs are located withinwater agency service areas, their waterresources needs are generally centeredon community development and surface

water quality issues, rather than drinkingwater quality or drinking water supplyissues. It can be challenging to obtainfunding for water projects in urban DACs,because their water issues may not meet

the criteria for a critical water supply orwater quality need.

Urban DACs often suffer from flooding,illegal dumping, surface watercontamination, and food security issues.There is frequently a lack of outreach and

education appropriately targeted to thecommunity to help alleviate some of the

water problems they face.

Rural DACsUnlike urban DACs, rural DACs main

water concern frequently is securing andmaintaining a safe, reliable source ofdrinking water. Existing water systems inrural DACs are often inadequate to meetneeds, including drinking water, sanitationservices, and firefighting resources. Thesefaulty systems pose a threat to publichealth and safety. The needs of rural DACscurrently exceed available funding, though

IRWM funding can be extended further bypartnering with the State Department ofPublic Health State Revolving Fund program.

Volunteers restoring habitat along ChollasCreek; an aging storage tank in need of

replacement in a Rural DAC.


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Tribal Nations

San Diego County features the largestnumber of Tribes and Reservations ofany county in the United States. Thereare 18 federally-recognized TribalNation Reservations and 17 TribalGovernments. These Reservation lands,

which are governed by Tribal Nations,total 127,000 acres or approximately198 square miles. Two additional Tribesare not federally recognized: San LuisRey Band of Luiseo Indians and MountLaguna Band of Kwaaymii Indians. Whileapproximately 17,000 Native Americans

live in the Region, as of 2010 only a smallpercentage of them actually lived withinthe Reservation lands in San Diego.

While the State and local governmentsdo not have any authority over TribalLands, the IRWM program has a workingrelationship with the Tribes to address

water and habitat issues. A position on theRAC is reserved for a Tribal representative,and Tribal representatives haveparticipated on Workgroups in the past.

Tribal Nations within the Region arelocated on lands mostly outside of the

Water Authoritys service area, and soare wholly dependent on local sourcesof water. However, two of the TribalNations, the Viejas and Sycuan Bands,have coordinated with the Water Authorityto explore the potential for water supplydelivery to reservation lands.

Land use on Tribal lands in San DiegoCounty was mostly limited to residential andminor agricultural activities until the IndianGaming Regulatory Act of 1988. Sincethen, ten gaming facilities have openedon Tribal lands. In addition to gaming,

some reservations also have malls, resorts,hotels, restaurants, and golf courses.

The economic growth that reservations areexperiencing has resulted in increased useby Tribes of their previously underutilized,but senior, water rights. The combinedimpact of water extractions on and offreservation lands may result in overdraftof the groundwater basins. As such,improved regional and local planningefforts may be needed to maintain local

groundwater supplies and incorporatefuture developments on Reservations.

San Diego County features the largest numberof Tribes and Reservations of any county in theUnited States.

La Jolla Los Coyotes

Santa YsabelMesa Grande

Inaja-Cosmit

Ewiiaapaayp

ManzanitaLa Posta

Campo

Viejas

Barona

Sycuan

Jamul

San Pasqual

Pala

Rincon

San Diego

Pacifc Ocean

Pauma

Capitan Grande

Excerpt from Tribal Water Stories of Coastal Southern California, a collection of stories, myths, and songs fromTribes in San Diego County, collected to entertain and educate readers, while honoring and celebrating thepeople and cultures from which these stories come. To download the entire collection, visit:www.sdirwmp.org

AH-HA WI-AH-AH WATER COLDER WATERThe cold spring, located on the high peak of theCuyamacas, is well known to all lovers of thesemountains, and the Indians, who must ever havea reason for the existence of things, tell how it wascreated and named by one of their mythical creatureslong ago.

One of the giants, named Hum-am Kwishwash(Whip to Kill People), lived in the vicinity of Pam-mumam-wah (Green Valley).

This hideous being possessed supernatural powers,which he employed in various ways. It seems that hewanted nothing but the coldest water to drink. Hetried the water in the streams and tried the water inthe springs that abound throughout the country, butnever did any of it suit his taste, so he created forhimself a spring of colder water.


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Role of IRWM Plan

Numerous water management planshave been developed by individual or

multiple agencies or groups within theRegion to address water supply, waterquality, ecosystem and habitat protectionand enhancement, watershed protection,recreation, and land use controls. Each ofthe local plans addresses portions of theRegion, but many of the plans overlap ingeography, scope, or agency jurisdiction.

Key challenges or constraints inaddressing water management issueson a regional scale include: potential for

competing plans, jurisdictional issues,

conflicts between agencies and otherorganizations, regulatory constraints,

environmental challenges, publicacceptance, and funding.

The IRWM Plan can help to address orresolve these issues and challengesby improving communication betweenstakeholders, proceeding through apublic process, consolidating regionalinformation, and identifying commongoals, objectives, and opportunities.

Challenges and Conflicts in WaterManagement

How the IRWM Program Can AddressChallenges

Regulatory Processes/Administration: Regulations may

be infeasible to implement, lack comprehensive data, and

implementation requirements may not yield desired benets.

Provides a unied regional approach for identifying and assessing

regulatory compliance issues.

Water Quality Objectives and Benefcial Uses: Widespread

concern that benecial uses are not properly dened, which can

impact the Regions ability to effectively and affordably manage water.

Provides a forum for collaboration between water managers and the

regulatory agencies that establish water quality standards.

Integrated Planning: Numerous entities are involved in water

management in the Region. Conicts between entities or

benecial uses are unavoidable.

Provides a forum to bring different entities together to potentially

resolve or avoid conicts resulting from overlapping jurisdiction.

Stakeholder Involvement: Barriers to stakeholder participation

may include regulatory restrictions or lack of funding.

Outreach efforts have attempted to resolve participation barriers. RAC

meetings provide an ongoing opportunity for stakeholder involvement.

Funding: Limited funding through DWR, and increasing resource

limitations for public agencies. There is a need for affordable

solutions to water-related issues.

Brings entities together to prioritize projects through a process that

considers cost-effectiveness, and multiple benets.

Public Awareness and Education: Regional awareness of

water management issues is a concern.

Sets a high priority for public outreach that may result in greater

public understanding and acceptance of water management issues

and solutions.

IRWM Grant Administration: Substantial concerns with IRWM

grant funding delays by the State.

Has attempted to resolve grant funding issues through improved

communications with DWR.

Affordability: Region is pressed to nd solutions that meet

regulatory, outreach, IRWM Program, and other needs.

Funding can be used to offset project-related costs in the Region.

Multi-benet projects can improve affordability.

Political Coordination: Regulatory, public awareness, conicts,

and other issues present challenges to political coordination.

Coordination efforts with other regulatory agencies and political

bodies are important to the IRWM Program.

Managing Water Rights and Compliance: Need to reconcile

water rights and water quality management for a variety of

benecial uses

Provides a mechanism to bring different entities together to

potentially resolve or avoid water rights conicts.

Sustainability of Water Resources: Solutions must be

economically and environmentally preferable, that also provide

equitable resource protection for Region.

Has incorporated sustainability throughout Plan. Project selection

prioritizes cost-effective projects that provide multiple benets.


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during the Plan update process, is theformally recognized stakeholder advisorycommittee to the RWMG. Workgroups

comprised mainly of RAC members helpguide the San Diego IRWM Program andconduct technical reviews and studies.Bi-monthly RAC meetings provideopportunities for the public to engage withthe IRWM Program.

In concert with the Upper Santa MargaritaRegion and the South Orange CountyRegion, the San Diego IRWM Programhas created the Tri-County FACC, acooperative effort between the three IRWM

programs within the San Diego IRWMFunding Area. The Tri-County FACC seeksto identify opportunities for collaborationbetween IRWM regions and works tocoordinate water resources management

across the three member IRWM regions.

Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) Member Organizations

County of San Diego

City of San Diego

San Diego County Water Authority

Santa Fe Irrigation DistrictCity of Oceanside

Helix Water District

Sweetwater Authority

Olivenhain Municipal Water District

San Elijo Joint Powers Authority

City of Chula Vista

City of Encinitas

Otay Water District / Metro Joint PowersAuthority

San Diego Coastkeeper

University of California CooperativeExtension

San Diego River Park Foundation

Buena Vista Lagoon Foundation CaliforniaLandscape Contractors Association

UCSD Clean Water Utility

Padre Dam Municipal Water District

Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek

Rural Community Assistance Corporation

Floodplain Management Association

Industrial Environment Association

SDSU Center for Regional Sustainability

Farm Bureau of San Diego County

San Diego Association of Governments

Zoological Society of San Diego

San Diego Regional Water Quality ControlBoard

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

County of Orange

Rancho California Water District

USMC Camp Pendleton

California Coastal Conservancy


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Plan Priorities will help toaddress Regional challenges

Project SelectionThe 2013 IRWM Plan includes criteria forinclusion of projects in the IRWM ProjectDatabase. This is important because aproject must be included in the databaseto be considered for IRWM fundingopportunities. Projects in the database mustcontribute to achievement of at least oneIRWM Plan objective. The 2013 IRWM Planupdate process developed a list of scoringcriteria for initial evaluation of all projectssubmitted to the IRWM Program throughthe online Project Database, available at:

http://irwm.rmcwater.com/sd/login.php

During IRWM funding opportunities, projectsincluded in the Project Database areevaluated by a Project Selection Workgroup,formed by a subset of the RAC representingdifferent stakeholder interest areas.

Because of the San Diego IRWM Programsemphasis on integration and stakeholderinvolvement, a project must meetObjective A, Objective B, and at least oneother objective in order to be consideredfor inclusion in IRWM funding proposals.

A two-stage prioritization process thatincludes a project review process and

project content scoring has been used tofurther prioritize programs and projects.This process was reviewed and updated in2013, using input from the RAC, public,and Workgroups. In the most recentround of grant funding, for the Proposition84-Round 2 Implementation Grant, 36projects were submitted for consideration.

Of these, 20 were scored high enoughto be considered for funding, and 7

were ultimately selected by the RAC forinclusion in the San Diego IRWM fundingproposal.

Turf replacement programs have beenselected for IRWM grant funding.

Excluded fromIRWM Plan

Excluded fromIRWM Funding

Tier 1Project List

Scoringand

RankingScreening

Tier 2

Project List

ProposedProject

Address Objectives A & Band one more

Top 50thPercentile

Bottom 50th PercentileFails to AddressA, B, and 1 OtherObjective

Fails to Address atleast 1 Objective


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Through this project prioritization andselection process, the Project Selection

Workgroup is able to compile a funding

proposal package that comprehensivelyaddresses regional needs, issues, andobjectives. Projects included in such packagesinclude benefits to water quality, waterreliability, habitat improvements, communitydevelopment, public education andoutreach, reduced climate change impacts,and flood protection, among others.

Priority Actions

During the Plan update process, four

planning studies were conductedby specially-convened workgroups.These studies (Regulatory, Land UsePlanning, Climate Change Planning,and Integrated Flood Management)

developed recommendations to addressthe challenges and issues identifiedin the table on page 10. Increased

and improved coordination andcommunication between relevant water-management and non-water managementagencies or organizations was a primaryrecommendation in each of the studies.

From these recommendations, the RACselected a revised list of action items toachieve during the life of the 2013 Plan.Stakeholders have made commitments toimplement each of the selected actions.Each action item is expected to be

implemented within three years of adoptionof the 2013 IRWM Plan, with stakeholdersreporting progress to the RAC.

Improve communication between IRWMProgram and Regional Board

Ensure consistency and provide supportbetween IRWM Plan and Regional Boardplans

Provide science-based waterquality recommendationsto support regulatorydecisions

Coordinate efforts andopportunities for habitat

restoration and recovery

Address climate change through adaptationand mitigation in water management

Develop cost-effective carbon-efficientstrategies

Incorporate adaptation to climate change

effects in water planningReduce or neutralize

GHG emissions in watermanagement

Recognize that water isone of the primary delivery

systems of climate change

Increase flood manager and agencycollaboration

Improve understanding of regional flood

risks and integrated flood managementDevelop watershed database to assist

in flood management andidentify common issues andconstraints

Define watershed floodmanagement goals and

applicable IFM strategies

Collaborative water resources and landuse planning efforts

Include supportive and complementary

objectives and actions in land use andwater planning and regulatory documents

Provide opportunities forcooperation, communication,and information sharingbetween water and landuse managers

Improve understanding ofrelationship between land

use and water resources

Regulatory Planning Study Climate Change Planning Study

Flood Management Planning StudyLand Use Planning Study


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Funding

In addition to providing a cost-effectiveand efficient means for planningacross jurisdictional boundaries, IRWMplanning provides an important firststep in positioning the Region to securethe outside funding critical to allow theRegion to implement much-needed watermanagement projects and programs.

An approved IRWM Plan is necessary forregions to be eligible for funding from theState of California under Propositions 50,84, and 1E. Future funding opportunitiesare likely to also require an approvedIRWM Plan, as the importance and valueof integrated planning and managementgains statewide recognition.

The Proposition 50 Chapter 8 IRWM GrantProgram is a joint program between theCalifornia Department of Water Resources

and the State Water Resources ControlBoard which provides funding for waterresources projects. The San Diego IRWMRegion has received $25 million underProposition 50.

Proposition 84, consisting of three roundsof funding, began in the summer of 2008and is expected to provide approximately$65 million in funding for IRWM projectsin the San Diego Region. To date, the SanDiego Region has received $8 million

under Proposition 84Round 1, andapplied for an additional $10.5 millionthrough Round 2. The Region also receiveda $1 million Proposition 84 planning grantto help pay for the updating of this Plan.

Proposition 1E is expected to provide $300million statewide for grants for stormwaterand flood management projects. Thesefunds are applied for by individual projectsponsors, rather than the IRWM Program,

though eligible projects must be part of anIRWM Plan. Within the San Diego IRWMRegion, the City of Escondido has received$15 million of Proposition 1E funds.

Projects funded through inclusion in theIRWM Plan range from pilot projects forinnovative water treatment technology,

recycled water systems, water qualityand supply for DACs, flood control andstormwater management, source waterprotection, and water supply and reliability.

Beyond Propositions 50, 84, and 1E, avariety of future state and federal fundingopportunities for water-related projectsare expected. This IRWM Program andPlan will provide a vehicle to pursue thosefunding opportunities.

IRWM Planning Positions the

Region to Secure Funding

San Diego IRWM Programhas leveraged millionsin state grant funds toimplement local andregional projects.

2007 2013 Future

$50M

$100

M

$150M

$200M

$250

M

Grant Award to San Diego

Funding Match for Projects

Cumulative IRWM Grant Award Totals

PENDING


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Download the complete 2013 San Diego IRWM Plan at: www.sdirwmp.org

Photo credit to:Rob Hutsel, San Diego River Park Foundation

Jeff Pasek, City of San Diego

Kim Thorner, Olivenhain Municipal Water District


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RMC Water and Environment

www.rmcwater.com

Documents

SDIRWM Highlights