Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Planning Region
Responsibilities
Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) is a collaborative effort to manage the significant range of water resources within a designated 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 the entities involved through mutually beneficial solutions.
Upper Santa Margarita Watershed IRWM Planning Region
The Upper Santa Margarita Watershed (USMW) IRWM Planning Region was formed through a Regional Application Process (PDF) with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) in 2007. In the same year, the first USMW IRWM Plan was prepared and adopted by Rancho Water, Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, and the County of Riverside, known as the Regional Water Management Group (RWMG). The RWMG jointly lead implementation of the USMW IRWM Plan through a Memorandum of Understanding.
The RWMG is also part of the Tri-County Funding Area Coordinating Committee (Tri-County FACC). The Tri-County FACC equitably manages and distributes the state grant funds allocated to the San Diego Funding Area, which includes the boundaries of the USWM IRWM Region, the San Diego IRWM Region, and the South Orange County IRWM Region. The Tri-County FACC also improves interregional cooperation and efficiency in IRWM planning and implementation, including common programs and potential overlay projects that cross regional boundaries.
Comprehensive Plan
A comprehensive update of the 2007 USWM IRWM Plan began in October 2012. A collaborative stakeholder process helped to shape the 2014 USMW IRWM Plan Update (PDF), which reflects the current and projected challenges, opportunities, goals and strategies of the USMW IRWM Region, and meets new DWR IRWM Program requirements.
The final 2014 USWM IRWM Plan Update (PDF) is now available for public review.