As funding resources become scarcer and the challenges of the 21st Century more pronounced, it becomes even more important that each dollar provide the maximum benefit possible. In addition, solving one water problem by creating another problem elsewhere is not cost effective. Water rate payers are the same as those that pay for environmental protection and floodwater management. They should not be paying to solve one problem a number of different ways. OWOW calls us to see the linkages between stormwater management and local water supply, land use and water quality, and accommodation of a growing population with finite water resources. It is only through a view of the watershed as an integrated system that we can be successful and develop operational efficiencies.

The second round of OWOW funding seeks to encourage the development of regional projects and programs that will serve as the backbone for water management in the future. SAWPA will be holding a workshop to review the "Call for Projects" for this $16 M funding opportunity on August 1 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Please RSVP to Zyanya Blancas (zblancas@sawpa.org) by July 27, 2012.