North Coast Resource Partnership: 2018/19 IRWM Project Solicitation

The North Coast Resource Partnership (NCRP) serves as a collaborative effort to improve water resource management across the North Coast region of California. The 2018/19 Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Project Solicitation was designed to fund high-priority projects that align with the goals of regional water security, ecosystem health, and community resiliency.

Overview of Major Tasks

The 2018/19 solicitation process involved a comprehensive suite of tasks aimed at ensuring transparency, technical merit, and regional equity. The process was divided into four primary categories:

• Project Identification and Outreach: Extensive stakeholder engagement occurred across the seven-county North Coast region to identify projects that addressed urgent local water management needs while contributing to regional objectives.
• Technical Review and Scoring: Each proposal underwent a rigorous evaluation process. Technical committees assessed projects based on feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and the degree to which they met the goals defined in the North Coast IRWM Plan.
• Consistency and Integration: Projects were evaluated for their ability to integrate multiple benefitssuch as flood protection, water quality improvement, and habitat restorationthereby maximizing the return on investment.
• Regulatory Compliance and Reporting: Selected applicants were required to commit to strict project monitoring, long-term maintenance plans, and standardized state reporting protocols to ensure accountability for grant funds.

Solicitation Schedule

The implementation schedule was designed to align with the requirements of the Department of Water Resources (DWR) while providing local agencies adequate time for project development. The key milestones for the 2018/19 solicitation cycle included:

Phase	Timeline
Solicitation Announcement & Guidelines Release	Fall 2018
Proposal Submission Period	Winter 2018/2019
Technical Review & Selection Process	Spring 2019
Funding Recommendations & Approval	Summer 2019
Grant Agreement Execution & Project Start	Late 2019

Budgetary Framework

The 2018/19 budget for the NCRP IRWM solicitation was derived from state bond funding intended to bolster climate change resiliency and sustainable water management. The budgetary approach emphasized the following priorities:

• Grant Allocation: A significant portion of the budget was dedicated to direct project implementation. This included capital construction, restoration design, and essential engineering services.
• Cost-Sharing Requirements: To ensure regional commitment and financial leverage, the solicitation required local project sponsors to provide a specific percentage of cost-share. This promoted local investment and ensured that projects had long-term financial viability.
• Administrative and Indirect Costs: A controlled portion of the budget was allocated to the administration of the grant program, ensuring the NCRP could provide the necessary oversight, management, and technical assistance to grantees throughout the project lifecycle.
• Disadvantaged Community (DAC) Involvement: Recognizing the unique needs of the region, the budget framework included specific provisions to support projects within disadvantaged or economically distressed communities, ensuring equitable access to funding for basic water and sanitation infrastructure.

By balancing technical oversight, a transparent schedule, and a strategic budget, the 2018/19 IRWM Project Solicitation strengthened the North Coasts capacity to manage water resources effectively in an era of climatic uncertainty.