Download Preliminary Talking Points – Tribal Participation in IRWM (CABY and

Preliminary Talking Points – Tribal Participation in IRWM (Upper Pit River Watershed) – Deliverable 2-9
What is Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM)?
Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Planning began in 2002 as the result of the passage of
Proposition 50 by California voters. The bond, among other priorities, authorized the expenditure of
$3.4 billion in general obligation bonds to fund a variety of water and wetlands projects. The funding of
water improvement and supply projects was specifically tied to the creation of plans by regionally
focused groups, which were to take into account water supply, water quality and water-related
environmental considerations. These plans became known as Integrated Regional Water Management
Plans or IRWMP.
IRWM is aimed at securing long-term water supply reliability within California by first recognizing the
inter-connectivity of water supplies and the environment, and then pursuing projects yielding multiple
benefits for water supplies, water quality, and natural resources. IRWM is characterized as a
collaborative effort to manage all aspects of water resources in a region. IRWM crosses jurisdictional,
watershed, and political boundaries; involves multiple agencies, stakeholders, individuals, and groups;
and attempts to address the issues and differing perspectives of all the entities involved through
mutually beneficial solutions.
Upper Pit River Watershed (UPRW)
UPRW Preparation of a New Plan

No IRWMP has yet been prepared

The Pit River Watershed Alliance (PRWA) will be the entity responsibly for plan preparation, in
conjunction with the Northeastern California Water Association (NECWA), an agricultural group.

The plan will cover Burney, Hat Creek, Fall River, and Upper Pit River Watersheds. A key goal of
the project will be to involve local Tribes in identification in critical water management issues and
conflicts, development of long term goals and objectives, and creation of projects that both
integrate Tribal concerns and/or are proposed by Tribal leadership and/or tribal members.

The project focus is of particular importance as it will bring funding to the projects of particular
importance to the Tribes and will provide Tribal input to natural resource related and water
supply projects across the region.

Consulting staff have allocated time for direct support of project development by Tribal
members and will provide detailed “how to” materials to support the effort.

The Pit River Watershed Alliance has an established relationship with a number of Tribes in the
region which could serve as a starting point for a new level of collaboration.
What are the desired outcomes for Tribal participation?



Development of projects to meet goals and objectives developed by Tribes, Tribal members and
Tribal entities
Active pursuit of funding in support of these projects
Collaboration by IRWM project sponsors with Tribes and Tribal members to bring Tribal expertise
into project design across the region.
Page 1 of 1