TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution to adopt the Gateway Integrated Regional Water Management Plan. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Over the past 18 months, the Gateway Water Management Authority, in cooperation with the City of Long Beach (City), other cities, water agencies, and interested parties of the Los Angeles Gateway Region (Gateway), has developed an Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP). An IRWMP is a water planning document designed to find integrated and coordinated solutions for the region's water-related issues. State funding for water projects is available for eligible areas that have completed the IRWMP planning process to the satisfaction of the State Department of Water Resources. There are currently 24 entities that comprise the Gateway Water Management Authority, and the accompanying map displays the boundary of the Gateway and current cities that are participating in the Gateway Water Management Authority (Attachment A).
IRWMP Process
The IRWMP is a collaborative effort to manage all aspects of water resources in a region. The process crosses jurisdictional, watershed, and political boundaries; involves multiple agencies, stakeholders, individuals, and groups; and attempts to address the issues and differing perspectives of all the entities involved through mutually beneficial solutions. An executive summary of the report is attached (Attachment B) and the entire plan can be found at http://www.gatewayirwmp.org/.
Stakeholders and Outreach
A Stakeholder Group was formed to provide recommendations to the Gateway Water Management Authority on important decisions and to help guide the IRWMP process. Stakeholders include cities, water districts, water companies, water wholesalers and groundwater suppliers, wastewater agencies, watershed-based environmental advocates, watershed organizations, and State and federal agencies. Special emphasis and techniques were employed in the outreach plan to provide disadvantaged communities with the opportunity to participate as stakeholders. Stakeholders compiled and finalized the goals and objectives of the IRWMP by consensus and then advanced the list to the Gateway Water Management Authority for final review. Goals include:
· Protect and enhance water quality
· Optimize and ensure water supply reliability, and
· Provide stewardship of the Gateway's water-dependent natural resources through enhancement of amenities and infrastructure
Project Development
Stakeholders were asked to suggest projects for the IRWMP that would meet the planning goals. Seventy-three (73) projects were collected, reviewed, and ranked by a Technical Review Team, of which 14 are in the City of Long Beach. These are the initial projects that meet the criteria of the IRWMP. However, the project development process is intended to be a dynamic process, and additional qualifying projects can be added to the list in the future. For a complete project list in the IRWMP plan, please see Attachment C.
Plan Adoption
In order for the City of Long Beach to pursue funding for these projects, as well as to add additional projects to the list in the future, the City of Long Beach must adopt the Integrated Regional Water Management Plan through a Resolution.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on August 8, 2013.
SUSTAINABILITY
The IRWMP will identify and address the water-dependant natural resources needs of the Gateway watershed of which the City of Long Beach is a member. The IRWMP will also protect and enhance water quality; optimize and ensure water reliability; and coordinate and integrate water resources management. The IRWMP provides stewardship of the Gateway's natural resources through enhancement of amenities and infrastructure and manages flood and storm waters to reduce flood risk and water quality impacts.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on September 17, 2013, so that the City may request future funding from grants that may become available.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Gateway IRWMP is a regional planning document and does not obligate cities or districts to future expenditures. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH ADOPTING THE GATEWAY INTEGRATED REGIONAL WATER MANGEMENT PLAN DATED JUNE 2013
Respectfully Submitted,
ARA MALOYAN, PE
ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER