News and Announcements

STATUS OF YUBA COUNTY IRWMP

The current version of the Yuba IRWMP is available on the Plan tab, above. The IRWMP team continues to work with all Yuba IRWM stakeholders to ensure that the Plan not only reflects DWR’s IRWM program requirements but also the needs and interests of the region. The IRWMP team continues to meet with any interested stakeholders to discuss projects, priorities, and funding needs. Anyone in the region may contact the project team at jlessard@yubawater.org or keri.rinne@gmail.com for more information, to arrange for a project development meeting, or to ask any questions about the IRWM process.

STATUS OF YUBA IRWMP PROJECTS FUNDED VIA PREVIOUS IRWM ROUNDS

During the last round of Prop 84 Implementation Grant funding in 2015, the Yuba IRWM/RWMG identified the Gold Village Comprehensive Water Sustainability Project as the focus of a funding grant application. The Gold Village Project was successfully funded for $1.2 million and is currently being implemented.

YUBA WATER AGENCY COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANT AND LOAN PROGRAM

Projects that are submitted to the Yuba IRWMP may be eligible to apply for Yuba Water Agency grants or loans. Each year, Yuba Water reinvests its revenue through grants related to its mission areas of: flood risk reduction, water supply and management, watershed resilience, water education, and water conservation. If you have a project concept or funding need, prior to submitting a grant request, please contact Yuba IRWMP Team members to ensure your project is in alignment with Yuba Water’s mission, vision, and values, as well as the Yuba County Water Agency Act and Community Impact Grant and Loan Program Policy. It is important to note Yuba Water’s heavy preference for applications that leverage external funding, are highest priority for the applicant, and have a robust funding strategy in place.

IRWMP Team members can guide you through the application process, which includes:

• Preparing a short form and submitting it to the IRWMP Team by emailing Keri.Rinne@gmail.com
• Applying for multiple funding sources, as applicable
• Completing a Yuba Water online application that responds directly to scoring criteria (criteria and templates are available online)

STATUS OF YUBA IRWMP PROJECT FUNDING

In 2020, the Yuba IRWM secured $15.9 million in implementation grant funds from the Department of Water Resources (DWR) for projects that increase water supply reliability, improve water storage and supply distribution systems, improve flood management, increase efficacy and efficiency of wastewater treatment, and benefit multiple disadvantaged and severely disadvantaged communities throughout the Yuba IRWMP region. These projects are currently underway and include:

• Improving Flood Protection, led by Reclamation District 784, which involves installing new pump stations
• Wastewater System Improvement & Energy Efficiency, led by Linda County Water District, which involves a multi-faceted wastewater facility upgrade
• Comprehensive Drinking Water Project, a City of Wheatland project to upgrade important components of their water supply and distribution system
• Steel Main Replacement Project, led by Olivehurst Public Utilities District, which will replace critical elements of drinking water supply lines to avoid leaks and frequent repairs
• Water Meter Installation Project, also led by Olivehurst Public Utilities District, which will improve leak identification and repair

Fire and Drinking Water Storage Project, led by North Yuba Water District, which will repair and replace critical water storage elements for a small, upper watershed water agency

DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM (DACI)

Yuba Water Agency is the fiscal agent for the $3.7 million grant allocated to the Sacramento River Funding Area (SRFA) DACI Program. This program is supporting needs assessments, technical assistance, training and water management project development in disadvantaged communities throughout the SRFA (see https://www.srfadacip.com/ for more information).

The SRFA consists of the following six IRWM regions: Upper Sacramento-McCloud, Upper Pit River Watershed, most of North Sacramento Valley, Westside (Yolo, Solano, Napa, Lake), part of Yuba County and part of American River Basin (three of these IRWMs were split into other Funding Areas). A representative from each of these IRWM regions is participating in the program, which involves outreach, engagement, and capacity-building for the Funding Area as a whole.