Agenda - 05-15-2007-7a - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT 5/2/07 ~~ 3 Proposed Phased Implementation Plan The WRP is proposed to be implemented in the following fashion, in keeping with the principles and goals outlined above: Step 1 -Set Up an Internal Communication Mechanism. to Ensure Collaboration Water Resources Inter-departmental Team The success of this coordinated WRP will ultimately rely on inter-departmental communication. A Water Resources Inter-departmental Team is proposed to address coordination and collaboration, and ensure timely and adequate information sharing. This team would include a representative from the County Manager's office and staff members from the ERCD, Environmental Health Services Division, Planning, and NRCS/Soil and Water departments. The team would be coordinated as identified in the following steps, with a charge and meeting schedule to be determined. Step 2 - Hire a Water Resources Coordinator (June 2007) Environment and Resource Conservation Department As part of the dialogue of the last few years on water resources, including the Board of Health/CFE Joint Work Group, there is a need to acquire a staff resource to work at a macro, ,policy level to oversee and coordinate the future efforts related to water resource assessment and conservation. This person would need a strong science background and expertise in hydrogeology and hydrology, but also have good interpersonal and communication skills to conduct the needed coordination functions. Responsibilities for the Water Resources Coordinator would include (but not be limited to) the provision of scientific expertise to County agencies, departments, the public,. and advisory boards on surface water hydrology, ground water hydrogeology, the inter-relationships between the two, and. interpretation of current and future studies and research in this area. This person would also coordinate and participate in new research and studies, and evaluate, review and analyze water resources reports and studies conducted at the national, state and regional level. In addition to new studies, there may be physical programs to be implemented (such as a well observation network) that could be planned and designed by this staff resource. The expansion and augmentation of the existing GIS database that has been built over the years by ERCD and Environmental Health would be another important component of the position. The Coordinator would have the expertise to interpret the trends and implications that result from the data that is gathered, and recommend courses of actiori. This might include evaluating the state of the County's water resources and assistance in planning for sustainable use and development of the resource.