FAQ
The answers to some frequently asked questions are provided below. If you do not see your question answered here, please contact us and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.
Q: Who can I contact with questions or information requests about Integrated Regional Water Management, the East Contra Costa County Region, or how to become involved?
Q: I have a project that I believe would benefit East Contra Costa County. How can I get my project funded?
A: There is no guarantee that any project will be funded through the IRWM process. However, there is information on the Projects page that explains which types of projects are most relevant and how they will be scored and prioritized. High scoring projects will be the most likely to be included in the region’s future grant applications for implementation funding through the California Department of Water Resources.Also, there may be other funding opportunities that you, as the stakeholder, may choose to pursue. Having a project included in the IRWMP may improve your chance at obtaining funding.When IRWM-related funding becomes available, this website will be updated to provide information on how to submit projects for consideration and an email will be sent to the IRWM email list. To add your name to the IRM email list, please contact us.
Q: How can I participate in the Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) planning process?
A: There are multiple opportunities for public participation during an IRWM Plan update process. Public meetings will be posted to the website as they are scheduled, and stakeholders are notified via email. In addition, all Governing Board meetings are open to the public, and noticed in accordance with the Brown Act. These meetings are held at least twice a year. Email notification of these meetings is also sent to the stakeholder email list. Please check this website regularly for information on public participation opportunities, and sign up for the stakeholder email list to ensure you receive relevant meeting and program information. To add your name to the IRWM stakeholder email list, please contact us.
Q: Why is the East Contra Costa County region undertaking IRWM planning activities, and who pays for these activities?
A: The East Contra Costa County member agencies have a history of collaborative water management planning because it is an efficient way to address common water management challenges.
The formal IRWM process has been established by the California Department of Water Resources, in response to the Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002, Proposition 50. While it is not required that a region participate in the statewide IRWM program, there are certain General Obligation Bond funds that are designated only for IRWM and related activities.
The California Department of Water Resources administers these funds, and makes them available to IRWM Regions for planning or implementation of specific projects within an IRWM Plan. Information about funding and funding application cycles for IRWM projects is kept up-to-date on the State’s website: http://www.water.ca.gov/irwm/.
East Contra Costa County’s 2013 and2015 IRWM Plan Updates (and associated technical studies) were funded largely through an IRWM Planning Grant. A condition of that grant required that 25% of the overall activity cost to be paid for by non-State entities, so the member agencies of the region are contributing in-kind costs (e.g., labor) for most of the activities. Funding for future implementation of IRWM projects are generally anticipated to come from an IRWM Implementation Grant, with a similar requirement for match funding from non-State entities. Note that the funding match requirement can change depending on the funding mechanism and whether the project qualifies as a disadvantaged community (DAC) project, primarily serving DACs (refer to the Disadvantaged Communities page for more information).
Q: Why is the East Contra Costa County region undertaking IRWM planning activities, and who pays for these activities?
A: The East Contra Costa County member agencies have a history of collaborative water management planning because it is an efficient way to address common water management challenges. The formal IRWM process has been established by the California Department of Water Resources, in response to the Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002, Proposition 50. While it is not required that a region participate, there are certain General Obligation Bond funds that are designated only for IRWM and related activities.
The California Department of Water Resources administers these funds, and makes them available to IRWM Regions for planning or implementation of specific projects within an IRWM Plan. Information about funding and funding application cycles for IRWM projects is kept up-to-date on the State’s website: http://www.water.ca.gov/irwm/. The IRWM Plan Update currently underway by East Contra Costa County is being funded largely through an IRWM Planning Grant.
A condition of the grant requires that 25% of the overall activity cost to be paid for by non-State entities, so the member agencies of the region are contributing manpower for most of the activities. Future implementation of IRWM projects would be expected to come from an IRWM Implementation Grant, with a similar requirement for match funding from non-State entities.