This week, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) released an updated document titled "Review of IRWM Planning and Implementation in California.” The report is posted to the DWR Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Strategic Plan website, accessed here.
Since the passage of the Integrated Regional Water Management Planning Act (SB 1672) in 2002, 48 IRWM regions have been formed in California and 45 of the 48 regions have adopted an IRWM plan. Collectively, these regions cover about 87 percent of the State’s geographic area and 99 percent of the population. To date, State investments of $933 million have leveraged about $4 billion in local and regional IRWM cost-share, resulting in about 700 projects to improve water supply reliability, water quality, drought protection, regional self-reliance, public safety, and environmental stewardship.
The DWR is working with stakeholders to develop a strategic plan for the future of IRWM in the State. The status of IRWM planning and IRWM plan implementation, as of December 2014, was reviewed to support strategic plan efforts. The report presents the result of the review. Questions on the document can be submitted electronically to IRWM_StrategicPlan@water.ca.gov.