The 2005 Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) Plan for the Upper Feather River watershed was prepared in accordance with IRWM guidelines established under Proposition 50, the Water Security, Clean Drinking Water, Coastal and Beach Protection Act of 2002. During that time, IRWM planning meetings were held in conjunction with meetings of the Plumas Watershed Forum. Archived documents from the 2005 IRWM planning process are available here.

In 2006, the voters approved Proposition 84, continuing funding for the regional water planning and water system improvements, and establishing new standards for IRWM plans. The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) developed new guidelines for regional plans that were implemented with funding from Proposition 84.

The California Department of Water Resources has formally recognized the Upper Feather River watershed as a “region” under the Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) program. The Feather River region application from June 2009 is available here (6MB).

With formal recognition from DWR as an IRWM region, a Proposition 84 planning grant from DWR was obtained and the Upper Feather River IRWM Plan Update was initiated in 2014 in order bring the Plan into conformance with the most recent DWR guidelines, as well as to reflect changes in the region over the past nine years. Click here for a brochure describing the IRWM planning process.

Over 36 local, state, and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations have established a Memorandum of Understanding that describes how they will coordinate their water and watershed management efforts and plan and prioritize projects supported with state grant funds.