5.1 Process to Consider Resource Management Strategies

Transcription

1 5 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES 5.1 Process to Consider Resource Management Strategies As part of the process to develop the goals, objectives and regional strategies for the South Orange County Region, as detailed in Section 4, the California Water Plan Update 2009 resource management strategies (RMS) were considered and evaluated for applicability to the region. A key objective of the California Water Plan Update 2009 is to present a diverse set of resource management strategies to meet the water-related resource management needs of each region statewide. The 27 RMS are summarized below, grouped by their intended outcome. Reduce water demand: Water conservation has become a viable long-term supply option because it saves considerable capital and operating cost for utilities and consumers, avoids environmental degradation, and creates multiple benefits. o Agricultural Water Use Efficiency RMS o Urban Water Use Efficiency RMS Improve operational efficiency and transfers: California s water system responds to our need to move water from where it occurs to where it will be used. o Conveyance Delta RMS o Conveyance Regional/Local RMS o System Reoperation RMS o Water Transfers RMS Increase water supply: California s communities are finding innovative ways to generate new supplies. o Conjunctive Management & Groundwater Storage RMS o Desalination Brackish & Seawater RMS o Precipitation Enhancement RMS o Recycled Municipal Water RMS o Surface Storage CALFED RMS o Surface Storage Regional/Local RMS Improve water quality: Improved water quality can directly improve the health of Californians and our ecosystem. o Drinking Water Treatment and Distribution RMS o Groundwater/Aquifer Remediation RMS o Matching Quality to Use RMS o Pollution Prevention RMS o Salt and Salinity Management RMS o Runoff Management RMS 5-1

2 Practice resource stewardship: Protect other resources as water supplies are made available for other beneficial uses. o Agricultural Lands Stewardship RMS o Economic Incentives (Loans, Grants, Water Pricing) RMS o Ecosystem Restoration RMS o Forest Management RMS o Land Use Planning and Management RMS o Recharge Area Protection RMS o Water-dependent Recreation RMS o Watershed Management RMS Improve flood management: Promote and practice integrated flood management to provide multiple benefits including better emergency preparedness and response, higher flood protection, more sustainable flood and water management systems, and enhanced floodplain ecosystems. o Flood Risk Management RMS The RMS also considered the effects of Climate Change on the IRWM region. Due to the significance of climate change on all strategies, a complete climate change analysis was completed and is include in Appendix J. The RMS considered relevant to the South Orange County IRWMP objectives were developed into regional strategies. The regional strategies that implement the objectives were reviewed by the IRWM Group for relevance to the WMA. Input from the Cities, water and wastewater districts, and the County was instrumental in updating the objectives to reflect current watershed, land use, and natural resources management plans for the WMA. Based on feedback, appropriate refinement to the objectives and strategies were made by Subgroup representatives and presented back to the IRWM Group for final approval. The following sections identify the RMS considered, RMS determined applicable to the Region and incorporated in the strategies and objectives, and RMS determined non-applicable to the Region. 5.2 Resource Management Strategies (RMS) Applicable to Region In many cases, strategies and projects primarily targeted at one plan objective will also support other plan objectives. Strategies and projects that address multiple objectives are typically the most cost-effective and resource-efficient, and are for the most part given higher priority in this IRWMP. In developing IRWM Plan goals, objectives and regional strategies, as detailed in Section 4.3, the IRWM Group considered the 2009 California Water Plan RMS. The RMS deemed applicable to the South Orange County IRWM Region were incorporated into the development of the IRWM Plan strategies to help achieve those objectives. Table 5-1 summarizes the California Water Plan Update 2009 Resource Management Strategies Considered and their applicability to the South Orange County IRWM Regional Goals and Objectives: 5-2

3 Table 5-1: Resource Management Strategies Applicability to Region Goals and Objectives 2009 California Water Plan Resource Management Strategies Considered Integrate Flood Management Improve Water Quality Increase Water Supply and Reliability Promote Water Use Efficiency Protect Natural Resources Not Applicable to Region Agricultural Water Use Efficiency Urban Water Use Efficiency Conveyance - Delta Conveyance Regional / Local FR-1 FR-2 WQ-1 WQ-2 WS-1 WS-2 WS-3 WS-4 WS-5 WS-6 WS-7 WC-1 WC-2 WC-3 WC-4 NR-1 NR-2 NR-3 NR-4 System Reoperation Water transfers Conjunctive Management & Groundwater Desalination ocean and groundwater Precipitation Enhancement Recycled Municipal Water Surface Storage CALFED Surface Storage Regional/local Drinking Water Treatment and Distribution Groundwater Remediation / Aquifer Remediation Matching Quality to Use 5-3

4 Table 5-1: Resource Management Strategies Applicability to Region (Cont.) Goals and Objectives 2009 California Water Plan Resource Management Strategies Considered Integrate Flood Management Improve Water Quality Increase Water Supply and Reliability Promote Water Use Efficiency Protect Natrual Resources Not Applicable to Region Salt and Salinity Management Pollution Prevention Urban Runoff Management Flood Risk Management Agricultural Lands Stewardship Economic Incentives (Loans, Grants, and Water Pricing) Ecosystem restoration Forest Management Recharge Area Protection Water-Dependent Recreation Watershed Management Crop Idling for Water Transfers Dewvaporation or Atmospheric Pressure Desalination Fog Collection Irrigated Land Retirement Rainfed Agriculture Waterbag Transport / Storage Technology FR-1 FR-2 WQ-1 WQ-2 WS-1 WS-2 WS-3 WS-4 WS-5 WS-6 WS-7 WC-1 WC-2 WC-3 WC-4 NR-1 NR-2 NR-3 NR-4 5-4

5 5.3 Resource Management Strategies (RMS) Not Applicable to Region Nearly all types of resource management strategies are applicable and considered within the South OC IRWM Plan and proposed projects. Although most of the resource management strategies were identified as applicable to the region, several were not. Agricultural Water Use Efficiency and Agricultural Lands Stewardship are not applicable to the very limited amount of agricultural land present in the Region. Conveyance Delta and Surface Storage Calfed is not directly applicable to our region, as most of the Region s conveyance issues are related to local infrastructure and the Region does not own or operate conveyance in the Delta region or surface storage facilities in the Calfed region. Precipitation enhancement does not apply to our region as artificial cloud seeding is not a practice within the region. Although the Region includes Cleveland National Forest and other open space, the forest management RMS is not applicable to the South Orange County Region because the Cleveland National Forest is directly managed by the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Crop idling for water transfers does not apply due to the limited agricultural land and farming that occurs in the region, where crop idling doesn t occur. Dewvaporation or Atmospheric Pressure Desalination is not a practice used within the region; however, reverse osmosis desalination is practiced and addressed accordingly. Fog collection is not applicable due to the limited rainfall and precipitation within the Region, Irrigated Land Retirement is not applicable since it is not a strategy used within our limited agricultural farming practices. Rainfed Agriculture is not applicable due to the low rainfall received. Waterbag Transport/Storage Technology has not been explored in our region, as our above ground reservoir storage facilities are used instead; this is not a practice applicable to our region at this time. 5.4 Regional Strategies The state s RMS were considered in the development of regional objectives and strategies. The IRWM Plan includes multiple projects that will implement the regional strategies. Each project accomplishes several aspects of water management for the region. Strategies and projects that address multiple objectives are typically the most cost-effective and resource-efficient, and are for the most part given higher priority in the IRWM Plan. The regional goals, objectives and strategies developed by the South OC IRWM Group are discussed in Section 4.3.The following explains how the strategies were developed and items considered in developing the IRWM Plan goals, objectives, and regional strategies Integrate Flood Management Strategies The WMA considered Flood Management Strategies in developing the IRWM Plan goals, objectives, and strategies. This management strategy will help stabilize streambeds impacted by development-exacerbated stormflows and convert hardened ditches and channels to widened soft-bottomed naturally-vegetated channels where feasible, to address erosion and flood control. Project performance would typically be measured by linear feet of streambed stabilized and/or converted channel; and acreage of soft-bottom channel created. This would also be accomplished by managing 5-5

6 development through the planning process (County and cities) to reduce post-project flow to pre-project flow. A key component of Flood management is the use of geographic information systems, data bases and other data management tools to support data development and manage the Region s watersheds. It promotes the development, installation, application or updating of flood control and pollutant control data, methods of measurement and management to protect waterways. Short-term per-project performance may be measured by expansion of catalogued data, confirmation of previous data conclusions, identification of erosion and sedimentation sources, and identification of accurate and rapid source tracking methods. Long-term per-project performance would typically be measured by estimated reduction in nuisance runoff volume or rate discharged to beaches; and/or estimated reduction in concentration or quantity of pathogens or indicator pollutants discharged compared to pre-project conditions Improve Water Quality Strategies The WMA considered water quality during the development of the IRWM Plan s goals, objectives, and strategies. This management strategy will promote the region-wide utilization of centralized and decentralized structural Best Management Practices, appropriate to non-point-source pollutants and land use types, to minimize the discharge of pollutants into or from municipal storm drain systems and into downstream aquatic ecosystems, during both wet and dry weather. Per-project performance would typically be measured by the number and area of sites affected; estimated reduction in nuisance and/or storm runoff volume or rate; and/or estimated reduction in quantity of key pollutants potentially exposed to discharge to the environment, compared to preproject or conventional conditions. Groundwater quality is also an important part of this strategy. This strategy will help prevent contamination of aquifers by sewage, industrial or other wastes. In some cases, groundwater remediation is necessary to improve the quality of degraded groundwater for beneficial use. Drinking water supply is the beneficial use that typically requires remediation when groundwater quality is degraded. In 1985 trichloroethylene, also known as TCE, was found in portions of the groundwater basin beneath the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station and central Irvine within IRWD s service area. TCE is a volatile organic compound, or VOC, that was widely used as a solvent for aircraft cleaning. Prior to the development of stricter environmental regulations in the mid s, it was common to dispose of cleaning solvents by simply rinsing off the aircraft and allowing the runoff to run into the ground. As a result of these past disposal practices, a one-by-three mile plume of contamination now extends off the base (see map to right). The contamination is about 150 feet deep beneath the base and feet deep in the community area. However, drinking water in Irvine has been and continues to be absolutely safe. IRWD s drinking water meets or exceeds all state and federal water quality requirements. IRWD maintains a state-certified water quality laboratory that performs more than a quarter of a million tests annually on our water supply to ensure that high quality water is monitored and maintained. The plume is several miles from IRWD s drinking water well field and therefore does not affect IRWD s drinking water supply. 5-6

7 IRWD, the Orange County Water District and the United States Department of the Navy have completed a joint project, the El Toro Groundwater Remediation Project, which is designed to clean up the TCE plume. This project began full operation in January 2007 and pumps water from the plume of TCE contamination. Following treatment to remove the TCE, this water is used only for non-drinking purposes. Each year the El Toro Groundwater Remediation Project provides 1.3 billion gallons of clean water for nondrinking water purposes, which is enough to irrigate 1,300 acres of landscaping. The cleanup of the plume is expected to take approximately 40 years. This strategy also protects recharge of groundwater aquifers in a cost-effective manner consistent with minimizing socioeconomic and environmental impacts. This will include potential production from the San Clemente wells as well as possible production from the San Mateo Groundwater Basin. Arrangements with Camp Pendleton and/or the Bureau of Reclamation may need to be developed for usage of San Mateo water Increase Water Supply and Reliability Strategies This strategy implements water savings and benefits including improvements in technology and management of water. This strategy also promotes the utilization of structural and non-structural Best Management Practices to eliminate nuisance runoff, and prevent potential pollutants from entering municipal storm drain systems and aquatic ecosystems, during both wet and dry weather. Per-project performance would typically be measured by the number and area of sites affected; estimated reduction in water usage or nuisance runoff volume or rate; and/or estimated reduction in quantity of key pollutants potentially exposed to discharge to the environment, compared to preproject or conventional conditions. South Orange County is highly dependent on imported water resources for about 90% of its needs. Because of this level of dependence on imported water, the Region continues to work with MWDOC and Metropolitan on improving regional and local water conveyance facilities. Based on projects being implemented throughout South Orange County, the need for imported supply will decrease through to 2030, thus helping to improve the reliable conveyance of water to South Orange County and the Southern California Region. A few MWDOC member agencies have also expressed interests in pursuing transfers of water from outside of the region to improve water supply reliability. MWDOC will continue to help its member agencies in developing these opportunities and ensuring their success. In fulfilling this role, MWDOC will look to help its member agencies navigate the operational and administrative issues of wheeling water through the Metropolitan water distribution system. Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) has actively pursued additional water supply reliability through water transfers and successfully completed water transfers in the late 1990's through the Metropolitan system. At present the future of such transfers as a reliable and cost-effective means of providing the basic supply are uncertain, however, transfer with specific purposes, such as supplementing dry year supplies can be effective. SMWD will continue to pursue water transfers as an alternative water supply and is currently working with MWDOC and other agencies to investigate possible transfers. 5-7

8 The Supplemental Dry Year Agreements are transfer agreements that are triggered under specific conditions when supplies from Metropolitan are limited. Cucamonga County Water District and Golden State Water Company (GSWC) will utilize groundwater in lieu of taking delivery of imported water from Metropolitan. SMWD has a transfer agreement with Cucamonga County Water District of 4,250 AFY, both short term and long term. SMWD also has a short term transfer agreement with GSWC of 2,000 AFY. 66 Through conjunctive management, the WMA coordinates use of both surface water and groundwater resources to maximize the availability and reliability of water supplies in a region to meet various management objectives. Managing both resources together, rather than in isolation, allows water managers to use the advantages of both resources for maximum benefit. Implementation of conjunctive management will increase pumping and needed treatment of local groundwater for water supply, consistent with sustainability and conjunctive use with other supplies. The projection for groundwater production out of San Juan Basin is anticipated to move from 3,674 AFY in to 8,594 AFY in Additional dry-year yield may be developed through Groundwater Management Planning, discussed in Section Desalination is also part of this strategy and is included in the development of the IRWM Plan goals, objectives, and regional strategies. Application of desalination technology is increasingly being recognized as one important supply component to develop new sustainable water supplies and to bolster water system reliability. In Orange County, there are three proposed ocean desalination projects that could serve MWDOC and its member agencies with additional water supply. These are the Huntington Beach Seawater Desalination Project, the South Orange Coastal Ocean Desalination Project, and the Camp Pendleton Seawater Desalination Project (the Camp Pendleton Seawater Desalination project would likely serve San Diego County, but would contribute to offsetting regional water supplies). Desalination can help meet the goals and objectives of the region. Development of potable supplies through desalination of ocean sources has the opportunity to produce 15,000 AF of supplies or possibly more by At this time, research is still underway to identify the opportunities and constraints to utilizing this source for potable supplies at both the South Orange Coastal and Camp Pendleton sites. MWD instituted its Groundwater Recovery Program in 1991 to provide financial incentives (up to $250 per acre-foot) to local agencies to develop brackish groundwater impaired from either natural causes or from agricultural drainage. The purpose of the program was to increase utilization of groundwater storage within the region for firm local production, conjunctive use storage, and drought supply. In MWDOC s service area, five groundwater recovery brackish water projects have contracts with Metropolitan. 66 Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) Urban Water Management Plan Update. Available online 1/26/13: 5-8

9 Recycled water was also included during the development of the IRWM Plan goals, objectives, and regional strategies. The WMA plans to increase the production and distribution capacity for expanding the use of recycled water. Orange County is the leader in water recycling in the State of California, in both quantity and innovation. Water supply and wastewater treatment agencies in Orange County have received welldeserved recognition in the field of water reclamation and reuse. Based on MWDOC s projections, expansion of recycled supplies is expected to amount to 20,000 AF by This projection includes the use of some creek diversions for beneficial uses. Drinking water treatment and distribution are also part of this strategy. These will aid in the development of local potable supplies including water treatment improvements to help reduce the risk of drought exposure to the South Orange County Region and will implement projects that will improve the reliability of the water supply system. The Region depends on a combination of imported and local supplies to meet its water demands and has taken numerous steps to ensure its member agencies have adequate supplies. Development of groundwater, groundwater recovery, recycled water systems, desalination opportunities, and collection of urban return flows augment the reliability of the imported water system. Specific projects to improve the system reliability include: Orange County Cross Feeder Coastal Junction Pump Station IRWD Interconnections Groundwater Emergency Service Program Upper and Lower Chiquita reservoirs Ocean desalination facility Promote Water Use Efficiency Strategies The WMA considered Water Use Efficiency during the development of the IRWM Plan goals, objectives, and regional strategies. This strategy promotes the region-wide utilization of non-structural and structural Best Management Practices, appropriate to non-point-source pollutants and land use types, to conserve water and prevent potential pollutants from entering municipal storm drain systems and aquatic ecosystems, during both wet and dry weather. MWDOC is currently developing a WUE Master Plan that will provide a 5-year implementation plan and specific savings goals. Per-project performance would typically be measured by the number and area of sites affected; and estimated reduction in quantity of water discharged and key pollutants potentially exposed to discharge to the environment, compared to pre-project or conventional conditions. One major area in which MWDOC works with other agencies to manage Orange County s water supply is water use efficiency. In terms of water management, MWDOC became a signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 1991, monitored by the California Urban Water Conservation Council (CUWCC), which develops and maintains 14 Best Management Practices (BMP) for urban water use efficiency. The urban water use efficiency practices are intended to reduce long-term urban demands 5-9

10 from what they would have been without implementation of these practices, and are in addition to programs that may be instituted during occasional water supply shortages. For more than 30 years, MWDOC's Public Information and Water Education programs have reached thousands of consumers and nearly 90,000 Orange County students annually. The programs are performed on behalf of, and in coordination with, MWDOC s member agencies and are designed to facilitate a student s understanding of current water issues, as well as the challenges, opportunities, and costs involved in securing a reliable supply of high quality water. In 2004, MWDOC formed a partnership with the Discovery Science Center to bring the School Education Program to even more students and provide them with even greater educational experiences in the areas of water and science. 67 To facilitate the implementation of BMPs, MWDOC focuses its effort on the following three areas: Regional Program Implementation: MWDOC develops, obtains funding for, and implements regional BMP programs on behalf of all retail water agencies in Orange County. Local Program Assistance: Upon request, MWDOC assists retail agencies in developing and implementing local programs within their individual service areas. MWDOC provides assistance with a variety of local programs including, but not limited to: Home Water Surveys, Landscape Workshops (residential and commercial), Public Information, School Education, Conservation Pricing, and Water Waste Prohibitions. Research and Evaluation: An integral component of any water use efficiency program is the research and evaluation of potential and existing programs. In the past five years, MWDOC has conducted research that allows agencies to measure the water-savings benefits of a specific program and then compare those benefits to the costs of implementing the program. This cost/benefit analysis enables individual agencies to evaluate the economic feasibility of a program prior to its implementation. Regional/local surface storage management also promotes water use efficiency and includes investigation of emerging technology and regulatory actions for on-site capture, storage and re-use of rainwater for irrigation purposes, consistent with water quality and vector control needs. Surface water provides an additional local source to some MWDOC member agencies, including IRWD and Trabuco Canyon Water District. Surface water supplies in Orange County are captured mostly from Santiago Creek into Santiago Reservoir (a.k.a. Irvine Lake) and some reclaimed from local streams and surface runoff in South Orange County (in the Santa Margarita Water District service area). There are a few other dams located on the smaller streams throughout the County; however, these are generally only for flood control or local agricultural use. Effort has been made in exploring the opportunity for increasing utilization of water in 67 Municipal Water District of Orange County Regional Urban Water Management Plan. 4/28/

11 San Juan Basin in South Orange County through the development of desalters and percolation basins Protect Natural Resources Strategies The WMA considered protection of natural resources during the development of the IRWM Plan goals, objectives, and strategies. This strategy has multiple benefits of eliminating or reducing non-native surface runoff from affecting riparian eco-systems, water reuse, and creating additional beneficial uses. At this time, it is difficult to project the quantity of supplies that could be developed from this source. The goal would be to increase capacity to capture, treat and utilize dry-weather surface runoff and stormwater, primarily for non-potable uses. Protecting receiving waters and marine Areas of Special Biological Significance to the extent feasible is part of this strategy. Implemented projects may have a number or acreage of sites retrofitted with control measures; and measure estimated reduction in daily or storm discharges to the receiving waters or ASBS. This strategy will help reestablish native aquatic, riparian and transitional biotic communities along streamcourses to the extent feasible. Project performance would typically be measured by linear feet of restored streamcourse; acreage of vegetation re-established; species diversity; and percent cover. In addition, this strategy provides opportunities for controlled recreational access and enjoyment of aquatic ecosystem areas to minimize the environmental impacts of uncontrolled use. Per-project performance would typically be measured in linear feet or acreage of area made accessible; and estimated recreational use or capacity for use. Integration of these regional strategies to meet the IRWM Plan objectives enhances the benefits of project implementation throughout the South Orange County region. 5.5 Regional and Inter-regional Benefits Implementation of the IRWM Plan and its projects will lead the Region into a future with a reliable water supply, protected and improved water quality, and achievement of the statewide priorities and program preferences for integrated regional planning. The IRWM Plan has served as an impetus to bring stakeholders together to discuss common goals, address concerns, and brainstorm solutions. As the Plan is implemented and benefits of water supply and water quality are realized, so will adjacent areas and regions benefit from the South Orange County regional efforts. Benefits to implementing projects with interregional benefits/advantages include increased opportunity for project implementation, collective planning to monitor regional changes and facilitate refinements for implementation, increased participation and cooperation by the public, shared costs, and cooperative land-based planning as opposed to confinement within political boundaries. Development of South Orange County local supplies and enhancement of reliability of its existing supplies also provides enhanced reliability of imported water suppliers for other regions. When dependence on imported water for the Region is reduced, water supply to other regions will increase, enhancing their reliability. 5-11

12 Long-term attainment and maintenance of water quality standards within the watersheds throughout the Region will result in enhanced local supplies, habitat restoration, pollution control, and outdoor recreational opportunities. Pollution reduction in impaired water bodies and sensitive habitat will benefit South Orange County wildlife habitat. Overall watershed health realized in the Region provides greater opportunities for communities to enjoy the area in which they live, including beach activities, hiking, biking, bird watching, horseback riding, and other activities that thrive in this Region. The IRWM Plan will establish an integrated regional water management model that could be used as a model for other regions and areas of the State. Individual projects that are implemented and produce beneficial results may also be used as pilot projects that are transferable to other regions. Regional planning presents the opportunity for collective and collaborative planning in a logical and beneficial process. The prioritization of projects within the Region provides the greatest benefit for the greater good. Moreover, it is important to recognize that the objectives of the Region regarding water supply reliability, groundwater management, water conservation, and water quality / pollution reduction, along with achievement of specific statewide priorities, clearly require regional solutions. In certain cases, Regional Action Projects have been defined where appropriate to implement a single strategy across the entire region that would involve all participants on a phased, as-needed funding basis. Regional solutions are being implemented in the objectives. Collaboration of regional projects and priorities will achieve substantially enhanced regional benefits, increased opportunity for project implementation, collective planning to monitor regional changes and facilitate refinements for implementation, increased participation and cooperation by the public and interregional benefits to adjacent areas. Certain watershed and habitat areas and the improvements made to them know no boundaries. Neighboring regions will experience benefits from the implementation of the South Orange County IRWM Plan. 5.6 Disadvantaged Communities / Environmental Justice Benefits Disadvantaged communities are a major concern for the IRWM Group. In order to address disadvantaged communities, the IRWM Group has made it a top priority to incorporate disadvantaged communities within their projects. The disadvantaged communities of South Orange County, as discussed in Section 3.6 Disadvantaged Communities, predominantly utilize the waters within the Region as recreational hubs. Waters within the Region include area beaches, local creeks and streams, and wetland environments. Since these waters are 100 percent accessible to the disadvantaged communities of South Orange County, projects focusing to provide safe drinking water and enhance water quality will primarily benefit these communities. Figure 3-15 depicts the disadvantaged communities throughout the entire South Orange County IRWM Region. Water quality of the watersheds greatly impacts the recreational opportunities for the disadvantaged community members, especially since portions of the watersheds that drain into the beach areas are impaired waters. The San Diego Regional Water Quality 5-12

13 Control Board has designated beneficial uses for many of the watershed waters for agricultural supply, contact and non-contact water recreation, warm freshwater habitat and wildlife habitat. Groundwater municipal supply is a beneficial use in the San Juan basin and easterly portion of Aliso Creek. Projects proposed in this plan will contribute to each of these beneficial uses, enhancing the opportunity to disadvantaged communities. Coastal Benefits The surrounding areas of Doheny State Beach Park, the Dana Point Harbor, area beaches, and parks located along regional stream courses serve as community gathering places for these communities and are used heavily year round on the weekends. Many of the recreational areas are accessible via public transit and often do not charge an entrance fee for walk-in visitors. Many recreational areas are also handicapped accessible. Today, Doheny state Beach continues to have millions of visitors each year. Projects focused on improving the water quality of Aliso Creek Beach, like Aliso Viejo s Dairy Fork Wetland project, will greatly benefit disadvantaged communities, especially low-income apartment complexes along the upper Aliso Creek. Aliso Creek beach is accessible through the Orange County Transportation Authority bus system since it is a facility of the County of Orange. This beach along with beaches and parks in the Region serve the disadvantaged communities equally since there is no entrance fee. The City of San Clemente Recycled Water Treatment and Distribution project was funded under Proposition 50 IRWM Implementation Grant Program. Upon completion in 2014, the project will reduce wastewater effluent into the ocean accommodating disadvantaged communities that utilize neighborhood parks and beaches as a weekend retreat. Disadvantaged communities will continue to enjoy the beach and ocean resources as a result of fewer beach closure days due to higher water quality. Water quality is a key consideration for the Region to ensure protection of the health and safety of the entire population in the area, especially for the disadvantaged community residents that do not have the means to travel to other areas of the state or country. Inland Benefits Multiple creek restoration, wetland, and Arundo removal projects are underway in the Region, and include the Audubon s Starr Ranch Sanctuary, which will restore 125 acres of the Bell Creek riparian zone providing wildlife and habitat research education programs for kids and adults. This and other creek habitat and restoration projects will significantly benefit the continued enjoyment of the Region s natural systems for low income populations. In addition, El Toro Water District s Recycled Water Distribution System Expansion was funded by Proposition 84 Round 1 Implementation Grant and consists of constructing a new recycled water distribution system to serve the El Toro Water District Service Area that includes disadvantaged communities in the City of Laguna Woods. The project would result in the conversion of approximately 75 existing potable water dedicated irrigation meters to recycled water. The conversions would reduce the amount of 5-13

14 potable water imported by the District by as much as 300 acre feet per year. This Project would directly benefit disadvantaged community members. These projects would meet multiple objectives and provide multiple benefits, including recreational and aesthetic benefits. Expanded opportunities for recreational benefits include contact and non-contact water recreation, walking paths, bird watching, nature study, painting and photography, and other passive activities. Recreational opportunities will result from the implementation of the Oso Creek Multi- Use Trails Project in Laguna Niguel. This project will provide and expand creek-side trail-ways for recreation and easier access to regional trails, the metrolink station, and bus route links, and will expand the opportunity for use by disadvantaged communities. Educational and public outreach activities like those found in the Audubon Starr Ranch project will increase residents understanding and appreciation of wetlands and other areas of significance, including how human interaction impacts habitat areas and other natural resources. The Audubon Starr Ranch project will inspire broad implementation of water quality and water conservation improvements across the community. Additional projects within the Region continue to incorporate measures to improve infrastructure needs in disadvantaged communities, such as offering catch basin insert installation to multi-family housing complexes where economically disadvantaged concentrations are significant. Benefits of Disadvantaged Community Participation Through addressing water quality issues in areas of recreational use, the IRWM Plan incorporates environmental justice in a way that provides every resident equal opportunity and fair treatment in the regional water planning process. As part of the disadvantaged communities, the IRWM Group has and will continue to actively involve regional minority communities, including the Juaneno Band of Mission Indians and Hispanic community groups to ensure their active involvement in the IRWM Plan. Additionally, the IRWM Plan projects have recognized the benefits to support disadvantaged communities within their areas of influence. The following describes the outreach completed as a part of this IRWM Plan. The Juaneno Band of Mission Indians tribe provided a letter of support for the 2005 IRWMP. In June 2012, David Belardes (Chief and Chairman of Juaneno Band of Mission Indians) was contacted and notified about the July 9, 2012 Stakeholder Workshop. The Laguna Woods Village Professional Community Management (Homeowner s Association) was contacted and the July 9, 2012 Stakeholder Workshop announcement and OC link was provided to Professional Community Management. The invite notice and link were posted on the HOA website on in July Wendy Bucknum, Professional Community Management. Laguna Woods Village HOA. 7/6/

15 The National Hispanic Environmental Council (NHEC) provided a letter of support for the 2005 IRWM Plan as a result of outreach efforts. In June 2012, NHEC was contacted and provided a copy of the 2005 letter of support. NHEC was invited to the July 9, 2012 Stakeholder Workshop. Latino Health Access provided a project for inclusion in the 2005 IRWM Plan. Latino Health Access was contacted in June 2012 and invited to the July 9, 2012 Stakeholder Workshop. OC Watersheds staff attended a California Latino Water Coalition (CLWC) event in 2010 at the Orange County Water District. In June 2012, CLWC was contacted via phone and and invited to attend the July 9, 2012 Stakeholder Workshop. The IRWM Plan and implementation of its projects will significantly benefit the Region s disadvantaged communities and support regional environmental justice. 5.7 Environmental Impacts / Benefits to Other Resources The regional watersheds contain a wide variety of environmental resources, extending from headwaters to ocean, and from urban landscape to forested mountaintop. These resources include water, wildlife, cultural and physical landscapes. Currently, local watersheds are suffering from a variety of water resource and related land resource problems. Most of these are related to widespread changes in the watersheds, including changes in the hydrologic regime, channel instability, habitat loss, ecosystem degradation, declines in water quality, threats to recreational resources, and others. While change is a part of the evolution of any landscape, dramatic change from a balanced historic state often results in undesirable consequences. All proposed projects within the IRWM Plan are individually evaluated under CEQA guidelines to identify potential impacts (both negative and beneficial) to the following: Aesthetics Air Quality Biological Resources Cultural Resources Geology and Soils Hazardous Materials Hydrology and Water Quality Land Use and Planning Noise Population and Housing Public Services Recreation Transportation and Traffic Utilities and Service Systems 5-15

16 Where significant potential negative impacts are identified, the CEQA/NEPA process will implement appropriate mitigation measures into the project. Responsibility for mitigation measures lies with the individual project sponsor(s). Where there are potential impacts to jurisdictional waters, habitats or species, mitigation requirements are determined within permitting processes with the RWQCB, US Army Corps of Engineers, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Federal anti-degradation policies for surface water quality and "no net loss" policies for wetlands are typically reflected in the permit requirements. The data management methods identified in Section 7 will work in conjunction with environmental impact analysis and ongoing project monitoring to identify potential impacts. 5-16