TO: Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
FROM: Christopher Silke - Engineering Manager - Water Resources
REPORT BY: Sarah Geiss - Staff Services Analyst II
SUBJECT: Westside Sacramento River Integrated Regional Water Management Plan
RECOMMENDATION
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District Engineer requests Chair to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that continues participation with the Westside Sacramento River Regional Water Management Group (RWMG). Four agencies including Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District comprise the RWMG. Effective with execution of this MOU Yolo County’s representation will change from the Water Resources Association to a newly created Subbasin Groundwater Agency.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In accordance with an MOU (No. 398(FC), as amended) and obligations under an Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Planning Grant from the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), the Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (District) participates in the Westside IRWM Plan development process with other regional public agency representatives from the counties of Lake, Solano, Yolo, and Colusa. The Westside Sacramento River IRWM Plan was originally published and adopted by Participating Agencies in 2013. Updates to the Plan and Priority Project List were appended in 2019.
Staff from the District have been involved in the IRWM planning process and submitted projects for inclusion in the plan for possible funding under the State's Propositions 84,1, and 50, and Small Community Drought Relief Assistance funding programs. To be eligible for project funding DWR requires each RWMG Participant adopt the IRWM Plan and subsequent updates. The Westside Sacramento River Coordinating Committee has secured over $10M in funding agreements for Putah and Cache Creek watershed projects. Several Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) have received grant monies to upgrade water and sewer utility facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
Org 1220500 Project 11012 |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
Lake Berryessa communities and the Putah Creek watershed have access to State Program Water Resource project funding opportunities. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
Annual membership dues for participating in the IRWM plan are $21,500 and are being funded by Napa County through its share of unincorporated area Measure A revenues as approved by the Napa County Board of Supervisors. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
Withdrawal of IRWM plan listed projects. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
With the passage of Proposition 84 in 2006, Department of Water Resources has been increasing its outreach to communities to enhance regional planning strategies and initiatives. Through statewide IRWM Program efforts, DWR has earmarked $73 million for the Sacramento River Funding Area. The Sacramento River Funding Area includes all or part of 20 counties and, therefore, has been preparing sub-regional IRWM Plans to effectively meet local needs. Napa County and the Flood District have been participating in the Westside Sacramento River IRWM planning efforts for the upper Putah Creek and Lake Berryessa watershed.
In September 2010 the Flood District, in collaboration with the Colusa County Resource Conservation District, Lake County Watershed Protection District, Solano County Water Agency and the Water Resources Association of Yolo County, formed a Westside Regional Water Management Group (RWMG). The Westside RWMG obtained $1,000,000 in IRWM planning funds from DWR to develop a Westside IRWM Plan that remains a living document to guide the RWMG in its mission priorities and selection of projects to seek funding assistance. County and Flood District staff have been attending Westside IRWM Plan meetings for over 10 years. The meetings present opportunities for stakeholders to participate and engage in the Westside IRWM Plan implementation. Local watershed project sponsors and State regulators are also present in the bi-monthly forum.
If approved by the Flood District Board, the MOU enclosed to this Staff report will renew Napa County’s commitment to the Westside Sacramento River Regional Water Management Group which oversees beneficial water resource projects in Napa, Lake, Yolo, and Solano Counties. Colusa County chose not to participate in the IRWMP or to sign the MOU.