$854,950 is recommended by DWR to be awarded through an IRWMA grant application. Recommended recipients are UTICA, Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians, and Groveland Community Services District. The Tuolumne County Resource Conservation District will be compensated for administering the grant. Read more at: Recommended Funding List – Mountain Counties
TUD Awards Bid for Phoenix Lake Construction Contract
The plan was the precursor to several implementation grant applications sponsored by the Tuolumne-Stanislaus Integrated Regional Water Management Authority (T-Stan IRWMA) a local, collaborative joint powers authority. Through the T-Stan IRWMA, the project received Proposition 84 Round 2 funding in 2014 and additional Proposition 84 Drought funding in 2015. Read more at: Construction for Phoenix Lake Project News Article_05062020
CCWD Dispells Myth about Household Water Usage After Efficiency Bill Passes
Customers won’t be fined for using more than 55 gallons per day. See full article at:
http://www.calaverasenterprise.com/news/article_4f46b988-3264-11ea-a9f0-5fc06d1a6b34.html
Meadow Restoration Reflects Collaborative Watershed Efforts
Tori James, MML News Reporter
Sonora, CA — With $12 million in funding, a multi-agency partnership taking a systemic approach to watershed health is literally, applying a “trickle down” approach.
Yesterday, federal, state and local officials had the opportunity to tour one of several local watershed health projects made possible through funding grants administered through the Tuolumne-Stanislaus Integrated Regional Water Management Authority, which help seek monies and develop projects that address water-related issues within the watershed.
Executive Director Lindsay Mattos recounts the group’s foray off Herring Creek Road to visit Coyote and Middle Three meadows, where they viewed completed and in-progress restoration work.
As she explains upfront, “Our role is to provide a space for local agencies, nonprofits and other interested parties to collaborate on watershed health, that includes domestic water, water in the forest — that sort of thing — and we try to plan out projects that benefit each other that all benefit the watershed.”
Effects Filter Downstream
Continuing, she emphasizes, “Meadow restoration benefits wildlife…provides a slow release of water downstream and acts as a filter to slow sediment.” Meadows also slow water feeding downstream creeks and rivers, reduce flooding and store carbon, which can help mitigate climate change effects.
One in a suite of the $12 million in outlined projects, the meadow restoration and culvert replacement on the Stanislaus National Forest in the Summit Ranger District provided tour goers an up close and in-person look.
Work at Coyote Meadow, which completed last year, included restoration and relocation of a poorly located path in the middle that was degrading the area and interrupting water flow. Among plans over the next two years at Middle Three Meadow, the second stop, are to restore a natural stream so that it functions as it should.
All the projects are being jointly funded by the USDA Forest Service and the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006 through the state’s Department of Water Resources and county’s Resource Conservation District.
The takeaway for Mattos is that her collaborative group helped bring a significant chunk of funding that will benefit residents who live in the Stanislaus and Tuolumne River Watershed. As she puts it, “We started putting together the application four years ago, got funding two years ago…for us, as a group, it is really exciting to see some be completed…to get to see them.”
ATCAA Receives $720,000
B.J. Hansen and Tracey Petersen, MML News Staff
Sonora, CA — The California Department of Water Resources has awarded regional grant money to help low-income residents reduce water and energy costs.
The Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency (ATCAA) has received a $720,700 grant to install high efficiency dishwashers, washing machines, low flow faucets and shower heads.
The program will be free to those that meet income requirements and it will help an estimated 378 homes across three counties (Tuolumne, Amador and Calaveras).
Joe Bors, ATCAA’s Energy and Water Conservation Programs Director, says, “It effectively reduces the amount of water used by each family and also reduces energy costs, which is a primary goal of this program.
The grant program is administered via the state’s Department of Water Resources and is concert with the California Air Quality Board efforts.
Goals include reducing approximately 2,400 metric tons of CO2 emissions, 67-million gallons of water, and 2.9 million kilowatt hours, over the lifetime of the products installed in the homes.
Bors says the funding was announced late last week and he estimates it will take between 5-8 weeks to get the new program off and running. For more information on ATCAA’s Energy services, click here.
Detours continue in Quartz-Stent area
Union Democrat staff /
A detour is expected to be in place for several weeks near Jamestown for construction on Tuolumne Utilities District’s $1.6 million water main extension project in the Quartz-Stent area.
As of Monday, Jacksonville Road will be closed to through traffic between Dutch Mine and Stent Cut-Off roads from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, TUD announced in a news release.
The district stated that roads will remain open throughout the duration of the project for people who live in the area and customers of Pet Vacations at 10225 Karlee Lane.
School bus routes and pickup locations will remain the same, according to TUD.
The project, which began in late November, involves installing about 12,000 linear feet of pipeline that will connect up to 100 properties to the TUD system.
It came together in response to well failures blamed on the drought and the discovery last year of high levels of nitrates and arsenic in the groundwater to a dozen homes.
Funding for the project is through a grant from the California Department of Water Resources and State Water Resources Control Board.
Mozingo Construction Inc., based in Oakdale, is the contractor on the project. Motorists are asked to drive with caution in the area while construction is taking place.
NOTICE OF INTENT to Adopt IRWMP Updates for Storm Water Planning
The Tuolumne-Stanislaus Integrated Regional Water Management Authority Notice to Adopt IRWM Plan Updates for Storm Water Planning. Notice is hereby given that on 21 December 2016 the Board of Directors of the Authority will hold a public hearing on the proposed updates for the Tuolumne-Stanislaus IRWM Plan at the Tuolumne Utilities District
(18885 Nugget Blvd, Sonora, CA 95370) at 1pm. For a draft of the Plan Updates please visit www.tstan-irwma.org. Questions? Contact T-S IRWMA Administrator at tsirwm@gmail.com or (209) 984-0500. The updates are available here: T-Stan IRWMP Updates for Storm Water Planning 2016
Several Water Projects Flowing In Mother Lode
Tracey Petersen, MML News Reporter July 22, 2016
Sonora, CA – The projects benefit the Stanislaus and Tuolumne watersheds and are being funded by the state through voter approved monies.
The $3.5-million funding for the water projects comes from Proposition 84, the “Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006.” Members of the Tuolumne-Stanislaus Integrated Regional Water Management Authority (T-S IRWMA), made up of more than 25 local water stakeholders, has begun working on eight projects within the region. The Department of Water Resources is overseeing the plans through its Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) program, which is a collaborative effort to manage all aspects of water resources in a region. Developed over the past two years, the Tuolumne-Stanislaus Regional Water Management Plan will utilize state and local funds and in-kind resources to finance the projects.
The authority provided this list of projects:
- Murphys Sanitary District Wastewater Treatment Facility Sprayfield Improvement Project: The project will construct new sprayfield infrastructure on 20 acres adjacent to the existing wastewater treatment facility to provide reliable effluent disposal capacity. Its benefits include protection of ground and surface water as well as public health. Grant Funding: $267,900.00
- Stanislaus National Forest Upper South Fork Stanislaus River Watershed Restoration and Water Quality Enhancement Project: The project will restore seven wet meadows totaling approximately 130 acres and repair approximately 40 road culverts that contribute sediment to aquatic systems. The project will enhance and protect the watershed through improvements to water quality, water storage, flood attenuation, carbon storage, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities. Grant Funding: $329,000.00
- Tuolumne County Resource Conservation District Small Parcel Stormwater Pollution Prevention and Landowner Stewardship Program: The project will address site-specific nutrient, sediment, and pathogen discharges into the Stanislaus and Tuolumne River Watersheds from small privately owned parcels through targeted education and outreach to landowners. Program will include locally relevant education materials, workshops, technical assistance, and demonstration projects. Grant Funding: $240,000.00
- Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency Home Level Water Conservation for the Disadvantaged Community: The Project will conduct outreach, take applications, perform water usage assessments, develop a list of water conservation measures that can be cost-effectively installed, and install water conservation measures for disadvantaged communities (DAC) members who live within the Tuolumne River and Stanislaus River watersheds in Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties. The Project will conserve water and stabilize or lower water rates to supply affordable drinking water to a disadvantaged community. Grant Funding: $188,000.00
- Tuolumne Utilities District Phoenix Lake Preservation and Restoration: The Project will improve water quality and restore storage capacity in Phoenix Lake and the Phoenix Lake watershed. The Project will complete engineering plans for the Phoenix Lake improvements, complete environmental review, obtain all required regulatory permits and compliance, and begin implementation by excavating approximately 45,000 cubic yards of sediment from the lake. Grant Funding: $1,598,000.00
- Tuolumne River Trust Tuolumne-Stanislaus Watershed Outreach and Stewardship: The project will implement a watershed stewardship program and a public education campaign in Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties. Implementation measures will include public outreach through internet and social media as well as presentations, news articles, and events. Project will promote activities to improve watershed health and water use efficiency. Grant Funding: $47,000.00
- Calaveras County Water District Douglas Flat/Vallecito Recycled Water Distribution Project: The project will prepare plans, develop necessary permitting, and construct a recycled water distribution system located at the CCWD wastewater treatment plant in Vallecito. Grant Funding: $188,000.00
- Groveland Community Services District Sewer Lift Station Water Quality Protection Project: The Project will repair identified deficiencies of a sewer collection system serving the community of Big Oak Flat. Implementation measures include improvement to Sewer Lift Station #16, repair of leaks in the Big Oak Flat sewer collection system, and replacement of fittings and couplings in the force main. Redundancy and back-up pumping capability will be added to reduce the potential of sewage spills into the adjacent Rattlesnake Creek. Project benefits include water quality protection for groundwater and Rattlesnake Creek and Don Pedro Reservoir, and protection of public health and the environment. Grant Funding: $564,000.00
T-Stan IRWMA Begins Work on Eight Projects Funded by DWR Prop 84 IRWM Grant
June 16, 2016
Sonora, CA – Members of the Tuolumne-Stanislaus Integrated Regional Water Management Authority (T-S IRWMA) have started work on eight projects within the Tuolumne-Stanislaus Region that received funding through the Department of Water Resource Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) program. Funding was provided by Proposition 84 the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006. Read more: T-S IRWMA Press Release _ June 2016
Water Resource Management Courses
These courses are offered through Columbia College. Continue to watch the college site for news about program expansion. Columbia College Water Resource Management
Darcy Lecturer to Speak at Columbia College
Seeing Things Differently: Rethinking the Relationship Between Data, Models, and Decision-Making – Lecture by Dr. Ty Ferré, University of Arizona
To be held at: Columbia Community College, Dogwood Forum
February 11, 3:00-4:30P.M.
For more information see: Darcy Lecture Poster
CCWD customers exceed water savings goal
Travis Taborek, Calaveras Enterprise 11/2/15
The State Water Resources Control Board on Friday released water conservation statistics showing that Californians have reduced water use by more than 26 percent in September.
These results exceed the 25 percent conservation mandate ordered by Gov. Jerry Brown for the fourth consecutive month. The executive order was issued April 1.
The Calaveras County Water District reduced water use by 28.8 percent in September compared to 2013. CCWD’s cumulative savings between June and September equal 35.5 percent. CCWD’s mandate conservation standard is 16 percent.
By comparison, the Amador Water Agency saved 28.2 percent in September compared to 2013 levels, and cumulatively saved 32.2 percent between June and September. AWA’s conservation standard is 24 percent.
The Tuolumne Utilities District, which serves 28,997, saved 31.4 percent in September compared to 2013, and cumulatively saved 37.7 percent between June and September. TUD’s conservation requirement is 24 percent.
Felicia Marcus, the chairwoman of the SWRCB, said that the board is grateful that California water users have successfully met conservation demands over the summer. She urged, however, that Californians keep striving to conserve water and do not slip into complacency in the winter months.
“Now, we need to keep it up as best we can, even as we hope for as much rain and snow as we can safely handle,” Marcus said. “We’re in the position of having to prepare for drought and flooding at the same time, but that’s what we’re faced with.”
The SWRCB reported that nearly all California water suppliers have complied with the mandated conservation standards. The exceptions are the cities of Beverly Hills, Indio and Redlands, and the Coachella Valley Water District. Each of these suppliers has been assessed a $61,000 penalty for failing to meet their conservation standards. Penalties are based on the SWRCB’s authority to issue fines of $500 per day for failing to meet its conservation standards.
CCWD board oks budget, moves forward with IRWMA
The Union Democrat, June 25, 2015
By Tori Thomas
The Calaveras county Water District Board of Directors Wednesday passed a $17.6 million budget for 2015-16.
Jeffrey Meyer, director of administrative services, said funding will be divided among various departments including $7.7 million toward capital improvement water and sewage projects…
The board also approved a motion to adopt the Tuolumne-Stanislaus Integrated Regional Water Management Plan.
The CCWD board approved a motion May 27 to join the Tuolumne-Stanislaus Integrated Regional Water Management Authority Governing Board.
The authority is a collaborative organization of water agencies in Tuolumne County, the southern portion of Calaveras County and southwestern Alpine county. Its goal is to maximize beneficial water use within the Tuolumne and Stanislaus watersheds, utilizing member dues and state and federal grants.
According to the board agenda packet, the T-Stan IRWMA requires the board adopt the plan before becoming a member.
The plan outlines the needs for watershed management in the Stanislaus and Tuolumne river areas, which include reducing contamination in groundwater, along with streams and other water conveyance systems.
Tuolumne County eligible for Rim Fire recovery funds
By Alex MacLean
The Union Democrat, June 18, 2017
California will be eligible for up to $500 million in federal funding later this year for post-Rim Fire projects that would benefit the Tuolumne County area.
County officials received word late Monday afternoon that California was one of 26 states selected by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban development to move onto the second phase of the national Disaster Resilience Competition, a federal program announced by President Barack Obama last June.
“Now the real work begins,” said Deputy County Administrator Maureen Frank, who is overseeing the local effort to organize projects that would be eligible for funding.
The competition is designed to provide federal funding for areas that experienced a natural disaster in 2011, 2012, or 2013.
Tuolumne County was eligible because of the 2013 Rim Fire that burned more than 400 square miles in the Central Sierra and forced hundreds along Highway 108 to flee their homes.
Though five other California counties experienced a natural disaster in that time frame, Frank said the Governor’s Office told her that Tuolumne was selected for the state’s application due to the size of the Rim Fire, the area’s unmet needs and reputation of collaboration between local groups.
A total of 48 states submitted applications in the competition’s first phase.
The Governor’s Office now must submit a second application to HUD by Oct. 27 that lists specific projects to receive funding, Frank said.
“This is just the start of the fun,” she said.
Frank held two meetings last Wednesday to share information about requirements for projects to be eligible for inclusion in the second-phase application.
She said the meetings were well attended by leaders of various public and private organizations, including Tuolumne Utilities District, Groveland Community Services District, Groveland Community Services District, Twain Harte Community Services District, Cal Fire, Sierra Pacific Industries, Pacific-Ultrapower and more.
More information will be posted in the coming weeks about public meetings to gather further input and project ideas.
“We’ll continue to update the website as we get information from the state and continue to refine that,” she said. “As we get more information, we’ll get that out to the public and continue to have discussions as far as our unmet needs and what we need to build a more resilient community in Tuolumne County.”
News / Press Releases
- Notice of Award November 24, 2025
- Special District Awards Earned By Tuolumne Utilities District November 19, 2025
- TUD Expands Wildfire Defense With New Fire Water Draft Points October 14, 2025
- RFP released for System Modeling of Climate Change Impacts in the Tuolumne-Stanislaus Watershed September 23, 2025
- CDFW Updates Beaver Restoration Pilot Projects September 3, 2025
- Major Groveland Infrastructure Project Launched To Enhance Local Water System August 6, 2025
- California thins its forests, then burns the wood. Is there a better idea? July 17, 2025
- Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians, TUD tout new water tank project December 24, 2024
- Twain Harte Stormwater Project Completed August 14, 2024
- DWR Awards $29 Million to Underrepresented Communities and Tribes for Drought Relief June 27, 2022