Mariposa’s
IRWMP is required to go through the Regional Acceptance Process (RAP) prior to applying for funding to complete
the IRWMP itself. This is a new requirement of the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) that is attached
to all of the state’s water-related funding. The RAP would identify Mariposa’s IRWMP watershed boundaries. The
state’s current RAP application deadline is anticipated to be in mid-April.
What are the RAP steps?
1)
We submit materials to DWR including:
a) assemble and describe
the Mariposa IRWMP “group” (we are currently developing stakeholder, agency, and public participation to form
this group);
b) develop and describe the public/stakeholder outreach and involvement process;
c) describe the group’s
governance structure (the governance structure needs to be developed);
d) present the IRWMP regional boundary
(boundaries need to be developed);
e) describe the history of IRWMP in the region and how the boundary relates to
water resources and management; and
f) describe the region’s relationship with adjacent regions (we are in the
beginning process of establishing contacts).
2) DWR then reviews information, selects regions for interviews, and develops discussion points for the interviews.
3)
We prepare a presentation for DWR and are interviewed (we
could send a panel as decided by our group).
4) DWR then concurs with region definition and/or provides additional suggestions to the group for improvement and makes
draft recommendations.
5) DWR
then allows a public comment period on draft recommendations, holds a public meeting, and considers comments.
6)
Finally, DWR Director issues decision (accept or not recommend).
Note: We could be “not recommended” at any point after steps two, three, four or five.
IRWMP Region Considerations and Characteristics:
· Surface and subsurface features
·
Climate and weather patterns
·
Geologic and topographical history
·
Soils and vegetation characteristics
·
Water management issues
·
Stakeholders
·
Water-related conflicts
·
Water supply
· Water quality
· Environmental stewardship
· Flood management
· Drought preparedness
· Wastewater treatment
· Watershed management
· Recycled water
· Groundwater management
· Land use
· Natural habitat and conservation
· Conjunctive use
· Emphasis on reduced dependence on imported water