News for Immediate Release December 23, 2008 Contacts: Norman Shopay, Conjunctive Water Management (916) 651-9218 Don Strickland, Information Officer (916) 653-9515 Ted Thomas, Information Officer (916) 653-9712

DWR RELEASES DRAFT GUIDELINES FOR IRWM REGION ACCEPTANCE PROCESS SACRAMENTO -- The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is releasing for public comment draft guidelines for the Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Region Acceptance Process (RAP).

These draft guidelines have been posted on DWR’s Web site at: http://www.grantsloans.water.ca.gov/grants/irwm/integregio_rap.cfm.DWR will solicit oral and written comments on the draft RAP guidelines from interested parties, stakeholders, and the public at two public meetings.

January 22, 2009 - 1-3 p.m. California Regional Water Quality Control Board LA Region 320 W. 4th St, Carmel Room Los Angeles, CA 90013

January 26, 2009 - 1-3 p.m. Resources Building, Auditorium 1416 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814

Prior to the January 22 public meeting, material will be posted at http://www.grantsloans.water.ca.gov/grants/irwm/integregio_rap.cfm.

Attendees who need reasonable accommodation due to disabilities should contact Linda Woolridge, (916) 651-9613; TDD (916) 653-6934

Written comments will be accepted until 9 a.m. (Pacific Time) on Tuesday January 27, 2009.

E-mail comments to Norman Shopay at [email protected].

The Department of Water Resources operates and maintains the State Water Project, provides dam safety and flood control and inspection services, assists local water districts in water management and water conservation planning, and plans for future statewide water needs.

Contact the DWR Public Affairs Office for more information about DWR's water activities.