The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on April 28 between Cal/EPA and the Resources Agency is a significant step forward in promoting watershed management principles within the numerous state departments under these two agencies. In addition, it is intended to make government operations more efficient when it comes to protecting, restoring, and cleaning up the state’s watersheds, rivers, streams, lakes, and coast.

Required by statute (AB 2534, Pavley, Chapter 727, 2002), this MOU establishes a framework for state agencies and their boards, commissions, departments, authority, and conservancies to coordinate and integrate watershed programs. The legislation indicates that watershed management principles are a sound approach for restoration and management. It also recognizes that the State needs to invest in watershed management partnerships that use a community-based, collaborative approach to meeting the state’s watershed management goals.

The MOU has several major goals. The first is the establishment of the Integrated Watershed Management Program, which will help coordinate state watershed programs and funding with other programs in more efficient and effective ways. This framework will improve integration and coordination of watershed policies, funding and program implementation. The second is the establishment of the California Watershed Council, the primary mechanism for stakeholder participation in decision making for watershed programs. The Council will review activities and provide recommendations to the Secretaries of the Resources and California Environmental Protection agencies and the public member. It is also anticipated that the Council will work with the Secretaries and their state agencies to implement the MOU and the Strategic Plan.

The Council has open membership and representatives from federal and state agencies, cities and county governments, regional and local watershed organizations, municipal utilities, tribal nations, watershed groups, landowners, resource conservation districts, land trusts, environmental organizations, and the public. They recently met and began developing priorities to improve the health of California’s watersheds.

The implementation of the MOU will take several years. The major focus in the first year will be a review of existing fund programs for better coordination and integration of program elements, improve data information access for program decision makers and the public, and examine any other issues.

This MOU is a major step to improve services to local groups and communities to better manage their natural resources in a manner that meets the needs of both state government and local priorities. It is also a way for state and federal agencies to work together in a more efficient manner to continue providing services for California’s citizens.