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Implementation Update February 2025

As communities across Los Angeles County recover from the recent natural disasters, we wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the challenges many communities in the region are facing. While it will be some time before we know the extent of the fire impacts, we are already actively working with our key partners to assess opportunities for the SCWP to support recovery and build back a stronger, more climate-resilient Los Angeles. Even though this newsletter focuses on the Safe, Clean Water Program, we’re keeping everyone affected in our thoughts and encourage you to stay safe and prioritize your well-being. Thank you for your resilience and for staying connected during this time.

This newsletter provides important updates designed to help you stay informed and engaged. For further information on regional proposals, including those that are funded and under consideration, please visit the projects webpage.

Your input and feedback are crucial to the collaborative, effective, and adaptive management of the SCW Program. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Key Dates to Know:

Project Highlight

Plymouth School Neighborhood Stormwater Capture Project

The Plymouth School Neighborhood Stormwater Capture Demonstration is a small project located at a K-5 elementary school in the Monrovia Unified School District, within the Rio Hondo Watershed Area. It is also the first completed school greening project funded by the Safe, Clean Water Program. This project transforms the school with environmentally friendly solutions like pervious surfaces, trees, and cutting-edge Low Impact Development features, including rain gardens and bioswales. By enhancing site drainage, improving water quality, and boosting local water supply, the project not only reduces flooding around the school and field but also creates a healthier, more resilient environment. Students and the community will benefit from increased shade, reduced urban heat, and improved accessibility. Plus, with the addition of a scenic pervious path, engaging outdoor classrooms, and informative signage, this project elevates both environmental sustainability and hands-on learning experiences.

Adaptive Management

Watershed Planning

The SCW Program Watershed Planning Framework, which describes the SCW Program Water Planning process, current progress, and key elements of the Initial Watershed Plan and online Planning Tools, is now available. A Community Strengths & Needs Assessment (CSNA) Survey is also live and ready to gather feedback from communities served by the SCW Program. You can find the Framework, Fact Sheet, CSNA Survey, and FAQs on the SCW Program website under Adaptive Management – Safe Clean Water LA.

Watershed Planning will result in development of Initial Watershed Plans for each of the nine SCWP Watershed Areas, and will include specific targets, priorities, and strategies for each Watershed Area that will inform future investments and maximize progress toward achieving the goals of the SCW Program. The Initial Watershed Plans will identify prioritized Watershed Area needs and the most promising opportunity areas for impactful investments, while aligning with the Countywide vision to create sustainable, equitable water solutions. Initial Watershed plans are anticipated mid-year 2025.

For questions regarding the ongoing Watershed Planning efforts, please email watershedplanning@pw.lacounty.gov. Also, in light of the recent wildfire events in the region, efforts are being made to proactively evaluate how lessons and findings from these events can be integrated into the Initial Watershed Plans.                    

Regional Program

Reporting Timeline

The Regional Program Reporting Timeline has transitioned from quarterly to semi-annual submittals. Project and Scientific Study Developers are required to submit Quarterly Reports up to FY23-24, and Mid-Year Reports starting FY24-25.

Please note the following due dates for recent and upcoming Regional Program Reports:

  • FY23-24 Annual Report (covering expenditures and progress between July 2023 and June 2024) was due on December 31, 2024.
  • FY24-25 Mid-Year Report (covering expenditures and progress between July 2024 and December 2024) is due on February 15, 2025. The deadline has been extended to February 28, 2025.
  • FY24-25 Annual Report (covering expenditures and progress between July 2024 and June 2025) is due on August 15, 2025.

The new Metrics & Measures section is now available as a new tile in the Regional Program Reporting Module. The Metrics & Measures section collects data for metrics specific to Projects in planning, design, construction, and post-construction phases to align with and inform the Watershed Planning efforts and Program-wide progress assessments. Project Developers with Projects in the planning phase should provide data that predicts Project performance, while those in design, construction, or post-construction should provide data that reflects their Project’s design or implementation. For guidance, please read instructions and tooltips within the Reporting Module and refer to the following links: Regional Program Performance Measures Guidelines, Regional Oversight Committee Workbook, and the Framework for Watershed Planning.

The deadline to fill out the Metrics & Measures section is February 28, 2025.

Regional Oversight Committee

The ROC conducts regular meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Due to the fires, the January meeting was cancelled. The next ROC meeting is scheduled for February 12th. The meeting will discuss updates on adaptive management and input from the Watershed Area Steering Committees and Scoring Committee with recommendations for the 2025 Safe Clean Water Program Progress Report (biennial report). Upcoming meeting details will be posted on the ROC events webpage as they become available.

The ROC members are looking to host their meetings at various locations across Los Angeles County. If your agency or municipality is interested in hosting a meeting, please contact the Regional Oversight Committee Executive Clerk at SCWP_ROC_ExecClerk@pw.lacounty.gov to discuss the logistics.

Municipal Program

Renewal of Municipal Transfer Agreements

The SCW Program recently updated the Reporting Module to streamline the renewal process for Municipal Transfer Agreements (TAs). Annual Municipal Program local return disbursements are being processed once the municipality has met all eligibility requirements.

District Program

Public Education and Community Engagement Grants Program – NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS 

The LA County Flood Control District is partnering with the Water Foundation to administer the SCW Program Public Education and Community Engagement Grants Program. The program will support education and community engagement efforts related to stormwater and urban runoff capture within the LA County Flood Control District. The deadline to submit a grant proposal to be evaluated during Round 2 was January 31, 2025. Applicants may continue to submit proposals from now until May 31, 2025. Proposals will be evaluated and awarded on a rolling basis.

For more information and to submit an application, visit the Water Foundation’s website. We encourage all eligible parties to apply for funding!

Credit Trading Program

The Safe, Clean Water Program continues to work towards launching the Credit Trading Program. This Credit Trading Program will allow eligible parcels to generate/sell or purchase credits to be used towards the purchasing parcel’s Safe Clean Water assessment. The Procedures and Guidelines document has been approved and can be viewed HERE. For more information on the Credit Trading Program and the recent Stakeholder Workshop that took place, please refer to the following: Tax Information, Forms & Tools

Interested in tracking the Safe, Clean Water Program Watershed Coordination events happening in your community? Check out the new website calendar feature to find events near you.

Your input and feedback are crucial to the collaborative, effective, and adaptive management of the SCW Program. Please do not hesitate to contact us.