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Regional Water Management Foundation
In Santa Cruz County the water flowing from your tap didn’t travel far. We don’t import water. We rely on a few local sources. We believe working together can help our communities to become more resilient and sustainable.
Funding Local Projects
A Cooperative Approach to Local Water Management
The Regional Water Management Foundation (RWMF) was established by the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County in 2007. In cooperation with local agencies, the RWMF supports planning and obtains funding for water resource projects in Santa Cruz County. To date, over $28 million in grants have been awarded through the RWMF.
What We Do
Grant Administration and Support
We promote local coordination and collaboration on water resources management. We support the Santa Cruz Integrated Regional Management Program, which promotes regional self-sufficiency and planning for water supply, water quality, watershed stewardship, stormwater, and flood management. Other local agency partners include: Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency and the and the Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency.
Our Local Partners
The RWMF supports local agencies with the planning and implementation of high-priority water resource projects in Santa Cruz County.
Regional Water Management Foundation Staff
Board of Directors
John Ricker
Board President
Appointee, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County
Lisa Lurie
Secretary
Executive Director, Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County
Heidi Luckenbach
Board Member
Water Director, City of Santa Cruz Water Department
Sierra Ryan
Board Member
Water Resources Manager, Santa Cruz County Environmental Health Services
Kirk Schmidt
Board Member
Trustee, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County
Piret Harmon
Board Member
Appointee, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County
Sabine Dukes
Treasurer
Chief Financial and Operations Officer, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County
Kevin Heuer
Board Member
Director Engagement & Impact, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County
Projects
The RWMF at Work
We support the planning and implementation of high priority projects in Santa Cruz County. Work is done under grants awarded by the state’s Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Grant Program. Local planning and implementation projects are done through the Santa Cruz Integrated Water Management Program (SCIWMP).
Groundwater Sustainability Planning
Planning for Sustainable Groundwater Management
In 2014, California passed the state’s first comprehensive groundwater management law, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. This Act provides a framework for the management of groundwater supplies by local authorities. In response to the Act, two new Groundwater Sustainability Agencies were formed in Santa Cruz County: the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency and the Santa Margarita Groundwater Agency. RWMF provides administrative and planning support to both agencies. RWMF staff supported the development of a Groundwater Sustainability Plan in the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin. The Plan was completed in 2020 and was among the first to be approved by the state.
Grant for Disadvantaged Communities
Addressing Water-Related Needs
In 2018, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) awarded a grant fund to the Regional Water Management Foundation for the Central Coast Disadvantaged Community Involvement Program. Funds supported an assessment of water-related needs in economically disadvantaged communities along the Central Coast from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara.
A Needs Assessment and Final Grant Report were submitted to the DWR in 2022. The work will inform regional and statewide planning and project implementation efforts to better address the water-related needs of disadvantaged communities.
Want to Know More?
Contact us for details.
Tim Carson, RWMF Program Director, will gladly entertain any questions you might have about the Regional Water Management Foundation or current and upcoming projects.