AgdaPkt 2006-12-04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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REPORT 6.2A Page 1 To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From the City Manager December 4, 2006 Subject Adoption of the Bay Area Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP). Recommendation Adopt resolution accepting the Bay Area Integrated Regional Water Management Plan. Background The Bay Area Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP) is a multi- stakeholder, nine-county effort to coordinate a strategic approach to regional water resources management. The Bay IRWMP was developed by a diverse group of water supply, water quality, wastewater, stormwater, flood management, watershed and habitat agencies, local governments, environmental groups, business groups and other interested parties in response to the current focus of the State to provide grant monies only for projects that are included in an adopted integrated water management plan. The Plan represents a significant accomplishment in regional water resources planning; it outlines the region's water resources management needs, objectives and strategies, and details an implementation plan to achieve the objectives while promoting sustainable water resources management in the Bay Area. The City of Redwood City's Recycled Water Project was included in the IRWMP through its membership in the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA). BA WSCA represents the interests of 26 cities and water districts, and two private utilities in Alameda, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties that purchase water on a wholesale basis from the San Francisco regional water system. BAWSCA enables the City and other member agencies to address community and regional needs. In 2005, the City's Recycled Water Project was included in the Bay Area's Step 1 Integrated Regional Water Management Grant application for Prop 50 Chapter 8 grant funding. In 2006 the Bay Area application, along with fifteen other applications across the state, was advanced to Step 2. The Bay Area application requested the maximum allowable grant, $25 million. On November 13, 2006, staff learned that the Bay Area application was not included on the draft funding recommendation list. While this outcome for the first round of funding is a disappointment, staff is committed to maintaining the City's competitive position for future grant opportunities. In order to receive grant money from the State for a project in an I RWMP , an agency must adopt the IRWMP by January 1, 2007. Additionally, acceptance of the IRWMP will signal the City's Interest in continued regional involvement to establish secure Bay Area water supplies for the Mure, and will provide a catalyst for future regional water management efforts