Wednesday, 24 January 2007 05:09

Integrated Regional Water Management Grants Still Sought By Local Coalition

slide9The State Department of Water Resources has announced the grant winners under the first stage of the Proposition 50 funding designed for Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWMP) Implementation Grant Program. Those awards went primarily to Southern California entities, with the lone exception of a Humboldt County group. The Amador Water Agency has been participating with other Mokelumne River water users in and integrated Regional Plan. Partners include the East bay Municipal Utility District, Calaveras County Water District, San Joaquin County water agencies and various cities through out Amador County. However, according to Jim Abercrombie, General Manager of the Amador Water Agency there is still an opportunity for the county and its partners to get a share of the 380 million dollar pie.

slide11 According to Abercrombie there was an expectation that the county’s project would not be funded in this first round of allocations because the plan is still underway in its design and process. Although some Southern California areas are asking for the state to reconsider their policies to enable more funding for the So-cal region, as well as other urban areas, Abercrombie is currently writing a letter to the state expressing his opposition to any changes in the funding mechanisms by the state that would put smaller rural areas at a disadvantage. Abercrombie states that the Mokelumne River coalitions will continue on their path to look for grant monies under this program in step 2 of the program which will divide up the remaining monies. The DWR and the State Water Board are now considering the funding the step 2 proposals. Public comments may be emailed to Tracie Billington at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Shahla Farahnak at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..