As with any organization, the early years of the Inyo-Mono IRWMP have necessitated extensive planning efforts in an attempt to ensure the success of the program. The following are a list of our planning milestones achieved to date:Milestones:
- Receipt of $49,000 pre-planning/launch grant in 2008 from Sierra Nevada Conservancy. This allowed the group to hire staff, convene monthly meetings, and conduct outreach to potential RWMG participants.
- Submission and approval of Region Acceptance Process application in 2009. Through this process, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) formally recognized the Inyo-Mono IRWM region and approved its boundaries.
- Completion of Phase I Inyo-Mono IRWM Plan in late 2010. This Plan is non-regulatory and does not supersede any existing plans or regulations that currently govern water management in the region.
- Completion of Planning Grant Application September, 2010.
- Awarded $240,000 Prop. 84 Planning Grant through DWR in early 2011 to revise Phase I Plan.
Future Plans:
- Complete Phase II Inyo-Mono IRWM Plan in 2012.
- Seek out further planning opportunities that may benefit the Inyo-Mono region.
- Continue outreach within the region to previously uncontacted entities.
- Provide focused assistance for disadvantaged communities, Native American Indian Tribes, and small water districts.
- Continue encouraging relationship building and collaboration among participating entities, such as through working committees for specific topics (e.g., fish hatcheries).
- Apply for Round 2 Prop. 84 Planning Grant, tentatively due March, 2012. To view a list of the preliminary project proposals, click here: Round2_PG_prelim_project_summary_website
Current Work:
- October, 2011: Three public outreach meetings were held in Ridgecrest, Benton, and Coleville. Read the meeting summary.
- November, 2011: The Inyo-Mono RWMG is in the process of revisiting and updating the Phase I Goals, Objectives, and Resource Management Strategies, including a plan for future RWMG meetings.
