Today, nearly all of California’s water resources are managed under an Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) approach. This type of management structure recognizes that local and regional water managers and stakeholders are best suited and positioned to manage water resources in their regions. By creating management structures that allow these entities to work together in a collaborative, open, and transparent manner, sustainable water solutions are more likely to happen. Woodard & Curran has been at the forefront of this transition at both the development level with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and its implementation on the ground. The firm has helped 85% of California’s population complete their IRWM planning efforts, and has taken a more substantial role in the implementation in regions like San Diego.
Woodard & Curran has provided overall program leadership for the San Diego IRWM program since 2007. Through this effort, the firm has helped the region establish a framework for success used for developing and implementing their 2007 and 2013 IRWM Plans and has helped the region obtain funds from Proposition 50, 84, and 1 from California Department of Water Resources, totaling $91 million to date.
Currently, Woodard & Curran is providing programmatic support for the IRWM Program by managing the Regional Water Management Group (RWMG), Regional Advisory Committee, and Tri-County Funding Area Coordinating Committee meetings and providing ad-hoc workgroup meeting preparation and facilitation as necessary. The firm is also working with the RWMG to conduct the regional project review, prioritization, and selection process and to support funding and public outreach, including specific outreach efforts to disadvantaged communities and Tribal Nations. Woodard & Curran also assists in development of policies and governance guidance and data and information management.
