“Anyone interested in meeting monthly for a year or more to tediously develop a water management plan affecting two huge river systems?  Anyone interested in devoting countless hours of time to debate water policies and projects with agency officials who often have openly expressed desires to construct new dams and divert more water from local rivers?”

  That was the essence of the invitations that led to CSERC staff engaging in a new Integrated Regional Water Management Plan for the Stanislaus and Tuolumne River watersheds.  Called the “IRWMP” process, the gathering of local water stakeholders began last fall.

  After spending 188 days in meetings over recent years to help negotiate hydroelectric management policies for the Stanislaus River, CSERC staff admittedly felt little enthusiasm for diving into another prolonged water-focused planning process.  Yet that is exactly what has sprouted from a gathering of local water agency representatives and non-government organizations.  CSERC and representatives from the local Sierra Club and Audubon groups have willingly committed to play an active role in what is envisioned as a years-long process to first create a plan and then to agree on priority water-related projects for our region.

  The carrot that brings everyone to the table is the potential for the local area to get extremely large amounts of funding from State bonds or from other State pots of money.  The State has made it clear that grants for water-related plans and projects are far more likely to go to those regions of the state where all water-related stakeholders have collaboratively created a water plan for their watershed.  Since millions of dollars may be available, local water agencies and county officials recognize the importance of bringing the environmental community and other stakeholders into local planning efforts.

  With so many other places to put staff time and energy, CSERC doesn’t need years of additional meetings.  But getting engaged and striving to work cooperatively with the full range of water interests proved highly productive in the recently completed Stanislaus River re-licensing process.  It could again in the IRWMP.

  “We think the process can be worthwhile,” said John, CSERC’s executive director.  “Not only is there a chance to get funds for win-win local water projects, but working collectively on a water plan will educate all of us about the current water issues facing our region.