​Submit a Project

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The RWMG policies require that projects be submitted and approved for the project list before they can be considered for an IRWMP grant application. The process requires stakeholders to carefully plan and document their projects in advance, rather than as a short-sighted response to available funding.

The following three-step process aims to standardize the information submitted by potential project sponsors for efficient review by the RWMG, and ultimately, the successful implementation of SSIRWMP objectives. These steps include 1) Call for Projects, 2) Review by Project workgroup or the Coordinating Committee, approved by the Regional Water Management Group and, 3) Project(s) added to the Project List. This project list is typically updated annually, although projects can be submitted at any time.

Step 1:   Call for Projects
The RWMG will release a Call for Projects in response to specific grant program announcements or any revisions to the SSIRWMP goals or objectives. This call will be made through several communication tools including:
  • Announcements at regularly schedule RWMG and Coordinating Committee meetings,
  • Announcements at Members and stakeholders agency board and management meetings,
  • E-mails to stakeholders and interested parties,
  • Posting the Call for Papers on the RWMG website and social media outlets
The process is open to all projects satisfying the criteria previously discussed, regardless of the current status of the project. Projects at the conceptual level are encouraged and will be added to the list as conceptual (Tier 3) in order to prevent duplication of effort and to foster project integration and development, especially if the project encompasses more than one watershed and/or user stakeholder group. Projects must be submitted by a Member or interested party.

Project proponents are asked to complete a Pre-Proposal Form and SSRWMG Project Identification Form. The form allows for proponents to include basic information generally associated with State grant applications criteria. 

​​Step 2:   Review of Project Information Form 
The Project Workgroup or the Coordinating Committee will receive each project information form and review each for content and consistency. The Workgroup will confirm the accuracy and reasonableness of the submitted information. If necessary, the Workgroup will request clarifying information from the project proponents. The Workgroup will consider if the project is suitable for possible project integration, regional application, multiple benefits, and other strategic project efforts that could address IRWMP objectives. The review process will include evaluation of several criteria designed to meet current state funding requirements, as well as:
  • The technical feasibility of the project
  • Specific benefits to critical water issues for Native American Tribal communities
  • Project cost and financing
  • Economical feasibility and sustainability (minimum 20 year)
  • Project status
  • Climate change impacts and benefits
These criteria and other are included on the SSIRWM project ranking matrix. The projects will not be ranked numerically, but will be identified as suitable for the Project List (yes or no), and placed into one of three tiers, as defined below:
  • Tier 1: Project is ready for implementation, has a project proponent, and a completed Project Information Form
  • Tier 2: Project is not ready for implementation, but has a project proponent and a full or partially completed Project Information Form
  • Tier 3: Project is conceptual without a proponent and no Project Information Form.  Tier 3 Projects are listed to reduce the potential for the duplicated planning and project development efforts and to provide information concerning potential project integration opportunities to develop a regional project. 
Step 3:   Publishing the Project List 
A project list is then generated or updated in which projects are identified based on the primary IRWMP goals and objectives that they will address and the project category (e.g. Study, Best Management Practice). 

As new projects and project concepts (Information Forms) are submitted by Members or interested parties, the Project Workgroup will add them to the tiered list of Implementation Projects. The list will be adopted by the RWMG at their next regular  meeting, will be e-mailed to RWMG members and interested parties, and will be updated on the RWMG’s online project list.
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