The SCWP Biennial Progress Report (Report) by the Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) serves as a critical checkpoint in the lifecycle of the Program. The Biennial Report assesses progress and offers key recommendations to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for adaptive management of the Program. The biennial reporting cycle fosters continuous improvement of the Program through responsive and data-driven strategies.  

The 30-day public comment period for the DRAFT 2026 Biennial Report closed on February 14, 2026. The ROC is scheduled to vote on approval of the 2026 Biennial Report at its March 11, 2026 meeting. See ROC website for more meeting information.

The Biennial Progress Report highlights both the accomplishments and the substantial efforts involved in scaling such a large and complex initiative.

The Watershed Planning Initiative is an ongoing effort to enhance and track SCW Program progress. It uses data, collaboration, and community input to inform SCW Program decisions, reduce redundancies, and enhance accountability across the region. Its output includes nine Initial Watershed Plans that provide detailed information on Program-wide and WA-specific targets, needs, strategies, and opportunities within the scope of the SCW Program.  

As Public Works continues to implement adaptive management practices and involve the governance committees in the iterative and robust decision-making process, Public Works has developed guidelines to help interpret the Los Angeles Flood Control District Code and support the Watershed Area Steering Committees (WASCs) in reviewing and recommending Projects, Project Concepts, and Scientific Studies. The Regional Program Stormwater Investment Plan (SIP) Programming Guidelines include, but are not limited to, guidance in complying with the SIP criteria and financial recommendations for programming the current SIP year. 

Project Modification Guidelines provide more specific guidance to WASCs, applicants, recipients, and other interested stakeholders when modifications to a project, project concept, or study are proposed during the course of a typical fiscal year. The Project Modification Request (PMR) form will help to facilitate the timely and transparent resolution of proposed modifications. 

To access the PMR form for a project, navigate to the Reporting Module, select the appropriate project, and then click on the new tile labeled “Project Modification Request”.

The Metrics and Monitoring Study (MMS) was designed to develop program methods, metrics, and monitoring criteria to inform tracking, planning, reporting, and decision-making within specific areas of the Program. The study was conducted by an interdisciplinary consultant team with expertise in both the technical and socio-political elements of metrics-setting, in coordination with the Flood Control District, and informed by extensive stakeholder involvement. Recommendations from the MMS will continue to help inform watershed planning and adaptive management of the Program, potentially including updates to guidance documents, scoring criteria, monitoring, and project development. Archived material related to the Metrics and Monitoring Study can be found here.

Interim Guidance has been updated to provide more specific guidance around four key areas of the Safe, Clean Water Program: strengthening community engagement and support, water supply, programming nature-based solutions, and implementing disadvantaged community policies in the Regional Program.   

All projects applying for Infrastructure Program funding from the Safe, Clean Water Program are required to have a Feasibility Study and provide a detailed investigation and report per the Feasibility Study Guidelines.  Supplemental guidance has been developed to clarify the requirements and support project evaluation to accelerate implementation.

As part of Adaptive Management efforts, near-term scoring criteria adaptations have been prioritized and are continuously being updated. The Safe, Clean Water Program implemented a pilot program that establishes an alternative scoring criteria for Water Quality Benefits and Water Supply Benefits in FY2026-27 Call for Projects. Infrastructure Program Project applicants can select whether their proposal should be scored per the original or pilot scoring options. See the Feasibility Study Guidelines for original scoring criteria and the Supplemental Guidance to Support Feasibility Study Guidelines for the pilot scoring adaptations.

Experience-to-date indicated the need for flexibility to allow Watershed Area Steering Committees (WASCs) to recommend partial funding for certain Infrastructure Program Projects or Scientific Studies applications. The purpose of this guidance is to describe the process to address partial funding awards.