Title
Community Development Agency, Transportation Division, recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the 2014 Tahoe Sierra Integrated Regional Water Management Plan; and
2) Adopt the 2014 Tahoe Sierra Integrated Regional Water Management Plan through a partner agency Memorandum of Understanding.
Body
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
The requested Board action has no associated fiscal impact or Net County Cost.
Background
The 2014 Tahoe Sierra Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP) (see Attachment C) is an update to the previously adopted and approved 2007 IRWMP (Resolution 156-2012 - Legistar #12-0916, Board of Supervisors Meeting November 6, 2012). The intent of this IRWM Plan update is to address the major water related needs/challenges and conflicts within the Region, including water quality, local water supply reliability, groundwater management, ecosystem restoration and integrated watershed management throughout the Region. Key updates to the 2007 Plan include:
· General updates to the description of the Region including social and cultural makeup, climate, water-related infrastructure, water quality, and ecological resources.
· Updating the objectives to achieve the goals identified in the 2007 IRWMP to ensure they were meaningful and relevant for the Tahoe-Sierra Region.
· Provide a process by which future projects can be identified and evaluated for inclusion into the IRWMP on a biennial basis.
· Provide a framework for implementation and financing of identified projects.
· Identify opportunities for increased coordination between local agencies, organizations, State and Federal agencies.
Sixteen (16) public agencies, special districts, and other parties have approved or are in the process of approving the 2014 IRWMP to coordinate strategies to improve water quality, water supply and improve local water security.
Reason for Recommendation
The IRWMP update is required in order to be in compliance with the 2010 and 2012 IRWMP Grant Program Guidelines - Proposition 84 and 1E, published by the California Department of Water Resources.
The approval and adoption of the 2014 IRWMP will allow El Dorado County (County) to apply for and accept state grant funds administered through the State Department of Water Resource Integrated Regional Water Management Program or other related grants as they become available. Grant applications will only be accepted for the projects identified in the IRWMP.
The County, Community Development Agency, Transportation Division has the Meyers Stream Environment Zone and Erosion Control and Oflyng Erosion Control projects currently identified in the IRWMP. In order for the County to apply for and accept future funds for these projects, per section 10543 of the California Water Code, the County must adopt the current IRWMP dated July 2014 in a public meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
Adoption of the IRWMP does not abridge any decision-making authority of the County, obligate the County to expend funds, commit the County to construct a specific Project, or commit it to any course of action. The County may withdraw from the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at any time by providing written notice to the partnership lead agency.
Clerk of the Board Follow Up Actions
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair's signature on the MOU adopting the 2014 Tahoe Sierra IRWMP.
2) The Clerk of the Board will forward a copy of the signed MOU to the Transportation Division for further processing.
Contact
Bard R. Lower, Transportation Division Director
Community Development Agency
Concurrences
County Counsel