On October 13, 2020, TSF’s CEO Izzy Martin participated as a panelist on the “Community and Tribal Leader Panel” as part of a virtual three-day summit titled “Ensuring Equitable Involvement in Regional Water Planning.” This event was sponsored by the Local Government Commission and the Department of Water Resources and focused on engaging marginalized communities through the Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Program and beyond in water planning efforts. Click the link here to find the proceedings, select session recordings, and view presentation materials on the Summit Website here.
Wade Crowfoot, Secretary for the California Natural Resources Agency was quoted in the summit proceedings – “Those in power must recognize water users that haven’t had a voice in decision-making, take the time to learn their challenges, and work to build solutions that include them and address their concerns.”
The Sierra Fund commends the Department of Water Resources and the Local Government Commission for their work to foster equitable inclusion of Tribes and underestimated communities in decision-making processes. Inclusive practices ensure that state priorities support diverse communities and provide pathways for consultation and involvement of priority populations in stewarding regional water bodies and receiving funding for water infrastructure needs.