Regional Water Plan

Update Process

2014/2015

March 4, 2014

Updated Regional Water Planning Handbook

Develops Common Technical Platform for updating the plans simultaneously.

Allows better integration of Regional Water Plans into the State Water Plan.

Sets out role of the State and the Regions.

Identifies approach for forming a representative steering committee to develop strategies and identify projects to be funded.

Scope of the Update

Builds on existing plans.

Updates key data to reflect changed conditions.

Two-year process based on funding availability.

Updated plans will be more closely tied to Water Trust Board funding process.

Year 1 (funding in place)

State and its contractors will:• Work with Regions to facilitate engagement of

stakeholders to convene a representative steering committee.

• Review and integrate updated technical data and information, including any relevant information provided by the Steering Committee.

• Complete the technical portions of the updates, including identifying the supply/demand gap.

Year 2 (if funding is available) Regional Water Planning Steering

Committees will direct completion of the updated plans:• Contract technical and facilitation support for

implementation strategies.• Draft and implement public outreach plan.• Identify implementation strategies (programs,

policies, and projects) to meet future water demand.

• Finalize Regional Water Plan update and submit for acceptance to ISC.

RWP Contractor Deliverables January 2015 Technical report addressing Handbook sections

B, D, E, F, G, H:• Introduction

• Background information

• Legal issues

• Water supply and demand

• Population and economic trends

• Future water use projections

• Gap between supply and demand

Input from Regions

Population and Economic Data• Recent studies or reports that include population

projections

• Major projects or initiatives that will affect employment

• Significant residential developments

• Anticipated changes in key sectors

• Key individuals to interview

Input from Regions

Technical and legal information• Water planning documents or local studies

• Significant water issues

• Local water-related programs or initiatives

• Local ordinances to address water or land use

• Pending or threatened lawsuits related to water

• Key individuals to interview

Steering Committee Composition Representative water use groups such as:

• Agricultural, both surface water and groundwater users• Municipal and county government• Rural water provider• Extractive industry• Environmental interest• Local business• Tribal entity (as appropriate)• Watershed interest• Federal agency• Other groups as identified by the Steering Committee

Steering Committee Responsibilities Year 2 (2015) Address Handbook sections C and I:

• Public participation• Strategies to meet future water demand

Public Involvement Plan • Steering committee meetings, meetings with

stakeholders and general public

Identification of strategies to address water supply-demand gap and regional goals