Attachment 1 south orange county irwm implementation grant proposal authorization and eligibility requirements

1. 
   Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) – The proposed Comprehensive Landscape Water Use Efficiency Program will implement a comprehensive landscape improvement program targeting publicly owned and other commercial landscapes properties throughout the South Orange County Watershed Management Area (WMA). There is no direct impact on groundwater level or quality is anticipated.
   
1. 
   Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary – The proposed Riparian Invasion Control, Restoration, Monitoring, and Education Project would cover two years of non-chemical invasive control, restoration, and vegetation and wildlife monitoring within the 4.7 mile section (125 acres) of Bell Creek protected within Starr Ranch borders. No direct impact to groundwater level or quality is anticipated.
   
2. 
   Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) – The proposed Baker Water Treatment Plant is a collaborative effort by south Orange County water agencies including El Toro Water District (ETWD),Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD), Moulton Niguel Water District (MNWD), Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD), and Trabuco Canyon Water District (TCWD) that was initiated to diversify the mix of water supplies to meet the South County’s needs and improve system reliability to provide sufficient water supplies during both planned and unplanned emergency outages of the imported water system. No direct impact to groundwater level or quality is anticipated.
   
3. 
   South Coast Water District (SCWD)– The proposed Targeted Water Conservation Programs will build upon and expand the water conservation, public outreach, Water Use Efficiency programs offered by MWDOC and previous successful conservation work by SCWD, targeting specific large water users based on detailed analyses of their water use profiles and new opportunities for conservation and cost savings. No direct impact to groundwater level or quality is anticipated.
   

1. 
   Municipal Water District of Orange County’s Comprehensive Landscape Water Use Efficiency Program.
   
2. 
   Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary’s Riparian Invasion Control, Restoration, Monitoring, and Education Project.
   
3. 
   Irvine Ranch Water District’s Baker Water Treatment Plant.
   
4. 
   South Coast Water District’s Targeted Water Conservation Program
   

The South Orange County IRWM Plan established goals and objectives. The Projects proposed within this Proposal are consistent with the adopted IRWM Plan, went through the established IRWM Project review process, and will be included in the IRWM Plan Update.

In order to address the major water challenges within the region, key objectives were compiled for the 2005 IRWM Plan in the following categories:

1. 
   Water Supply (WS)
   
2. 
   Groundwater Management (GM)
   
3. 
   Aquatic Ecosystems and Watershed Management (AE)
   
4. 
   Water Conservation (WC)
   
5. 
   Water Quality (WQ)
   
6. 
   Sewage and Flood Management (SF)
   
7. 
   Information Management (IF)
   

1. 
   Comprehensive Landscape Water Use Efficiency Program
   

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  Establish a regional landscape transformation from turf intensive landscapes to California Friendly landscapes that emphasize plantings that have water needs similar to our natural rainfall or 12 inches of precipitation per year.
  
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  Focus on highly visible landscapes along major streets that have non-functional turf such as street medians, intersections, and sidewalk buffers.
  
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  Sites will serve to demonstrate California Friendly landscapes to the general public.
  
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  Signage will be placed at each project site to educate the public about the landscape improvements along with benefits that will be realized. This signage will be viewed by all passersby of each project, which is anticipated to be thousands of people per day.
  
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  Verification of project benefits will be measured through a statistical water savings evaluation. This evaluation will include a robust, regression based, statistical evaluation of water use before and after the landscape improvements. Working with local water districts, MWDOC will obtain water use information for participating sites for inclusion in the evaluation.
  

The following describes how the Project is consistent with the IRWM Plan objectives:

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  WS: Water Supply, Water Quality, Water Use Efficiency, Reliability, Water Reuse and Urban Runoff:
  

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  Diversify the mix of water supplies to meet South Orange County’s needs through Water Use Efficiency efforts.
  
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  Improve South Orange County System Reliability to enable the local agencies to provide sufficient water supplies to their customers
  
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  Reduce the vulnerability of water supply systems to droughts.
  

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  AE: Regional Aquatic/Riparian Ecosystems and Watershed Management
  

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  Ensure that an appropriate and balanced level of investment is made to meet water supply, water system and water quality objectives
  
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  Optimize the healthy functioning of regional aquatic ecosystems, consistent with recreational needs and socioeconomic and infrastructural constraints
  

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  WC: Water Conservation - Water Conservation plan, Drought Preparedness, and Landscape Water Use Efficiency
  

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  Reduce water demand to meet the Governor’s call for 20% by 2020 through the implementation of Best Management Practice water use efficiency measures.
  
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  Promote the use and/or retrofitting of Weather Based Irrigation Timers in new and existing single-family homes and commercial landscapes.
  
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  Promote the use and/or retrofitting of irrigation system distribution uniformity improvements in new and existing developments.
  
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  Promote the use of native or non-native drought-tolerant low-water-use plants for landscaping in new developments and for retrofitting existing high-water use landscaping.
  
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  Promote the use of alternative landscape design features including permeable inert surfacing materials in lieu of high-water-use landscape ground covering plants in new developments and for retrofitting existing landscaping.
  

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  WQ: Water Quality – Surface and Groundwater
  

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  Protect the quality of surface and groundwaters, consistent with their beneficial uses.
  
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  Promote the utilization of structural Best Management Practices, appropriate to land use type, to eliminate nuisance runoff and reduce the discharge of pollutants from municipal storm drain systems into downstream aquatic ecosystems, during both wet and dry weather.
  

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  SF: Flood Management – Flood Preparedness, and Promoting Flood Management
  

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  Promote the region-wide utilization of non-structural Best Management Practices, appropriate to non-point-source pollutants and land use types, to prevent potential pollutants from entering municipal storm drain systems and aquatic ecosystems, during both wet and dry weather.
  
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  Promote the installation and application of nuisance water diversions when determined to be an effective solution to impairments downstream.
  

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  IF: Information and Data Management, Community Integration, Climate Change.
  

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  Promote the use of Geographic Information Systems, databases and other data management tools in support of IRWM Plan goals.
  
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  Promote scientific research, technological development, and investigative studies as needed to support IRWM Plan goals.
  
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  Promote public education programs and opportunities as appropriate to support the goals of the IRWM Plan.
  
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  Promote professional, worker and student educational opportunities as appropriate to support the goals of the IRWM Plan.
  
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  Promote informational programs for elected officials and regulatory personnel as appropriate to support the goals of the IRWM Plan.
  

2. 
   Riparian Invasion Control, Restoration, Monitoring, and Education at Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary
   

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  Non-chemical invasive control, restoration, and vegetation and wildlife monitoring within the 4.7 mile section (125 acres) of Bell Creek protected within Starr Ranch borders.
  
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  Riparian invasive control and restoration is done by two seasonal interns, Weed Warrior volunteers, and a crew of at risk young adults of the Orange County Conservation Corps.
  
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  Staff biologists train volunteers to assist with wildlife and stream water quality monitoring for aquatic invertebrates and vertebrates, perennial pools, and songbirds.
  
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  Land management research is integrated into education programs for kids and adults, including programs such as Stream Biosurvey, Stream Water Chemistry, and Ecology of Bell Creek.
  
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  Programs offer a hands-on experience in wildlife and habitat research.
  

The following describes how the Project is consistent with the IRWM Plan objectives:

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  AE: Regional Aquatic/Riparian Ecosystems and Watershed Management
  
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  Protect and improve ecological resource areas, creeks and the coastline and environmental restoration by: removal of invasive species and promotion of native vegetation to help control erosion and stabilize stream banks along Bell Creek; restoration of native riparian vegetation reduces golf course and homeowner source nutrients and pollutants.
  
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  Optimize the healthy functioning of regional aquatic ecosystems, consistent with recreational needs and socioeconomic and infrastructural constraints.
  

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  WS: Water Supply, Water Quality, Water Use Efficiency, Reliability, Water Reuse and Urban Runoff:
  
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  Reduce reliance on imported water and increase local water supply
  
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  Improve the operation of pumps that divert urban runoff through installation of trash racks and a slide gate.
  

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  WQ: Water Quality - Surface and Groundwater, Protect beneficial uses
  
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  Reduce nuisance runoff and reduce water currently being discharged to the ocean by removal of invasive species and promotion of native riparian vegetation, which acts as a filter or barrier for controlling flows of water and sediments and stabilizing stream banks.
  

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  Pumps divert nutrients and chemicals in Dove Canyon runoff away from Bell Creek, preventing pollutants from entering San Juan Creek and protecting the beneficial uses of the waterways.
  
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  Optimization of runoff diversion pumps will increase the amount of recycled water for use by the Trabuco Canyon Water District.
  

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  Project implements an innovative nonchemical approach to riparian invasive control in Bell Creek that eliminates potential effects of toxic herbicides on downstream aquatic ecosystems.
  
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  Project will remove invasive species and promote native vegetation, which helps control erosion and stabilize stream banks along Bell Creek.
  

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  IF: Information and Data Management, Community Integration, Climate Change.
  
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  Develop and implement public education programs and opportunities as appropriate to support the goals of the IRWM Plan.
  

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  SF: Flood Management – Flood Preparedness, and Promoting Flood Management
  
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  Enhance Flood protection for public safety and property
  
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  Remove invasive species from stream channels to improve capacity and flood control protection: we will use nonchemical techniques to remove invasive species, prioritized from mapping, from the 125 acre Bell Canyon riparian corridor.
  
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  Preserve floodplains in open space areas: the Bell Canyon riparian corridor within Starr Ranch boundaries is preserved and managed in perpetuity by Audubon California Starr Ranch Sanctuary.
  
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  Implement economically and technically feasible multiple uses for flood control facilities
  
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  Utilize LID principles to store and infiltrate runoff from existing development projects to lessen flows in flood control channels via a new partnership, the “Dove Canyon/Starr Ranch Alliance for Native Landscaping.” We will encourage low impact redevelopment where feasible – e.g. rain barrels, rain gardens, etc. and encourage our partners to apply for funding through IRWMP.
  

3. 
   Irvine Ranch Water District’s Baker Water Treatment Plant
   

The Project is consistent with the IRWM Plan Goals of Water Quality, Water Supply, Water Conservation, and Aquatic/Riparian Ecosystems and Watershed Management by implementing the following components:

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  The Baker WTP will diversify water supplies and provide an alternate source of drinking water supply to the region during unplanned or extended outages of the Diemer Filtration Plant.
  
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  The raw water stored in Irvine Lake can also be supplied to the treatment plant during emergencies or when excess local runoff water is available.
  
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  The Project will also make the 28,000 acre-feet Irvine Lake storage available for raw water storage for future treatment and delivery, as well as utilizes the existing raw and product water pipeline infrastructure.
  

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  WQ: Comply with Clean Water Act and Porter-Cologne, Protect beneficial uses of receiving waters
  

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  The project will comply with the Clean Water Act as required by law. Measures for compliance with the NPDES discharge permits have been included in the construction contract and ongoing maintenance plan for the plant.
  

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  One of the sources of local water supply for the project is Irvine Lake. The project will benefit that area by utilizing excess water in the lake that may otherwise overflow the spillway and be discharged to waste.
  

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  WS: Improve planning and awareness of water supply reliability issues related to imported water into South Orange County, Increase capture and utilization of urban runoff for irrigation purposes, Improve System Reliability, Manage and improve the supplies available to South Orange County for the collective benefit of the area
  

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  The project’s main purpose is to increase water supply reliability especially during unplanned or extended outages of the Diemer Filtration Plant and/or the Allen-McColloch Pipeline. The project feasibility study and subsequent preliminary design report were prepared and reviewed by several South Orange County water agencies as well as the Metropolitan Water District and the Municipal Water District of Orange County.
  

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  Local surface water runoff from the Irvine Lake watershed is captured by Irvine Lake. The project will provide a potable water supply by treating surface water runoff from the lake and delivering that water into IRWD’s Lake Forest distribution system, which is used for both potable and irrigation purposes.
  

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  The Baker WTP will provide an additional local source of potable water supply via Irvine Lake in case of any out-of-the-region outages.
  

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  The Baker WTP Project will improve potable water supply reliability to south Orange County by providing an alternative source of drinking water supply to the area via Lake Mathews and Lake Irvine, and in particular, during unplanned or extended outages of the Diemer Filtration Plant and/or the Allen-McColloch Pipeline.
  

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  WC: Reduce region wide landscape irrigation consumption to an ETAF of < 0.7 by 2020
  

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  The current plant is landscaped with turf grass and non-California native plant species. The project will replace the existing landscaping at various locations with California native plant species that are drought tolerant and require less regular irrigation than the current planting pallete.
  

4. 
   South Coast Water District – Targeted Water Conservation Program
   

The South Coast Water District proposes the Targeted Water Conservation Program. The Project will build upon and expand the water conservation, public outreach, Water Use Efficiency programs offered by MWDOC and previous successful conservation work by SCWD. The project will promote the benefits of these activities to specific large water users based on detailed analyses of their water use profiles and new opportunities for conservation and cost savings. Funding of this project will provide the SCWD with sufficient resources to proactively work with high-volume water consumers on an extended and detailed basis starting with initial identification of meaningful and sustainable conservation opportunities all the way through to project completion and results measurement. The users to be targeted with this project will include the large hotels, resorts, home owner associations, the Dana Point Harbor, schools and Mission Hospital in South Laguna as well as other major commercial and residential users in the SCWD service area.

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  Detailed analysis of water usage patterns for these high volume water users
  
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  Identification of specific and tailored conservation opportunities
  
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  Initiating meetings to discuss implementation of identified opportunities (including costs and possible funding sources)
  
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  Development of action plans with timelines and budgets, project implementation and then measuring and reporting on project results.
  

The following describes how the Project is consistent with the IRWM Plan objectives:

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  WS: Water Supply, Water Quality, Water Use Efficiency, Reliability, Water Reuse and Urban Runoff:
  
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    The project will emphasize working with high-volume irrigation users of both potable and recycled water with the goal of significantly reducing each users irrigation needs. Large users such as resorts, parks, school grounds, hotels, golf courses, HOA’s etc. will be targeted, their current demands analyzed, suggestions developed for their particular situations, implementation plans developed, implementation technical and financial assistance will be provided and benefits measured. The result will be reduced irrigation demands and urban runoff as well as significant savings in water use. By reducing the volume of urban runoff its negative impacts will be reduced proportionately.
    

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  WQ: Water Quality - Surface and Groundwater, Protect beneficial uses
  

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  Comply with Clean Water Act and Porter-Cologne: A primary goal of both the C.W.A. and Porter Cologne is to reduce point source and non-point source discharges to waters of the U.S. and thereby protect water quality. This project will help accomplish this goal by reducing over irrigation as a source of urban runoff, a major contributor to non-point source pollution. As proposed the project will generate increased awareness of the need to curtail the amount of water used for irrigation, provide practical and helpful plans for actually reducing the irrigation volume required by large users, provide incentives for investing in water saving devices/appliances and develop a community spirit or ethic to encourage implementation of water saving steps. These benefits will be achieved by focusing on high/least efficient water users from SCWD customer data, tailoring conservation programs to meet their particular need and providing implementation and funding support.
  

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  The whole of the South Coast Water District service area is in watersheds immediately upstream of the Pacific Ocean coastal beaches of Dana Point and Laguna Beach, California. These coastal waters are designated for Rec 1 beneficial use and in portions as marine life protection areas. The health of these receiving waters is influenced by urban runoff, much of which is generated by the over use of water through outdoor landscape irrigation. Non-point source dry weather flows deliver trash, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, oil & grease and other contaminants load to receiving waters. A goal of this project is to reduce careless and unnecessary irrigation. The Water Conservation programs (project) will contribute to reductions in irrigation use and hence to reductions in urban runoff.
  

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  WC: Compliance with "20 x 2020" and with MWD's IRP Goals by 2020, Reduce region wide landscape irrigation consumption to an ETAF of < 0.7 by 2020, Maximize Efficiency of Utility Based Operations
  

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  This project supports both of these goals with a new expanded residential and commercial retrofit & replacement program targeted to reduce potable water demands with both onsite indoor/outdoor assessments, recommendations of regional and local rebates; and direct installations where potable water is used for irrigation. Today approximately 60% of the potable water demand within the region is for irrigation. A mere 20% reduction in this class of use will result in a 12% reduction in overall potable water use. SCWD believes this target is readily achievable in the next few years and the area will be more than half way in achieving the 2020 goals.
  

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  By concentrating on large landscape areas in HOA’s, hotels, resorts and other high payoff areas and aggressively demonstrating the cost and conservation benefits from WaterSmart Hotel recommendations, new sprinkler systems and sensor technology, as well as changes in landscape design and practices, these water conservation programs will aid in achieving an ETAF of 0.7 or better by 2020. Key activities in obtaining this successful result will be the one-on-one attention offered by the SCWD water conservation crews and staff to help offer direct installs to increase participation, conduct H20 for HOAs forums, and other targeted workshops for landscape owners and property managers. The District will aggressively promote regional and local rebate programs (e.g., smart timers, expanded turf removal) for property owners and business operators. Staff will take the time to analyze needs, demonstrate conservation benefits and assist program customers in the development, implementation and funding of tailored plans to reduce runoff and improve water conservation.
  

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  This project will leverage existing investments in water conservation efforts by MWDOC, SCWD and other retail agencies. The project will identify high use customers from existing customer data (hospitals, Home Owner Association (HOA)’s, parks, schools, golf courses, City mediums & entrances, Hotels, etc.), review water reduction and runoff control options and make specific recommendations, provide implementation assistance and help identify funding possibilities and /or provide funding assistance. The lessons learned by SCWD from these activities will be shared with other agencies participating in the Regional Watershed Management Plan area of south Orange County. Additionally, The District will work with the IRWM agencies to encourage a consistent program message for runoff reduction and water conservation.
  

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  AE: Enhance the functioning of regional aquatic ecosystems.
  
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    An aquatic ecosystem functions best when there are contaminants can be reduced in the system, when water levels and sedimentation rates are balanced and when water chemistry is tuned to the ecosystems needs. Over irrigation and high pollutant loads throw these factors out of balance and contribute to overall ecosystem degradation. The water conservation project will promote reductions in over irrigation and thereby contribute to lower contaminant levels originating from the watershed. This will help improve the coastal water ecosystem.
    

The South Orange County IRWM Group currently has a public process in place to identify and include stakeholders in the planning and decision making process for the IRWM Plan and projects proposed for inclusion. Participants in the South Orange County IRWM Group have worked individually and collaboratively over 30 years to develop and integrate regional strategies that address, raise awareness, and coordinate numerous and varied water management projects. In conjunction with these efforts, the South Orange County IRWM Group uses a variety of methods to engage the general public and stakeholders. They include participating in stakeholder meetings, inclusion in the IRWM process, communication via email and information sharing via the County’s website www.ocwatersheds.com. The website also provides contact information and email links for all South Orange County IRWM Group members