Funding & Criteria

Funding for the Headwaters to Groundwater Project was provided by CALFED Prop 50 Watershed Implementation Program and the Mountains Restoration Trust. The total budget was $410,000.

Funding priorities and criteria

The Project reflects CALFED Bay-Delta and Watershed Program priorities by promoting an approach to watershed planning, local land-use policy and community outreach that places more emphasis on the interdependence of the Bay-Delta area and local watershed. The system's health will improve by reducing Southern California's dependence upon the water through scientifically analyzing current conditions and opportunities for increasing the use of local water sources for groundwater recharge.

By understanding the role of natural lands on local water supply's health. The Project will be a model for future efforts in reducing water dependency.

CALFED Bay-Delta Program criteria:

• Restore ecological health and improve water management by providing science-based understanding of the relationship of groundwater recharge and ecosystem interdependence.
• Protect and improve existing local water source
• Protected groundwater recharge areas will potentially provide a habitat for migratory Bay-Delta birds.
• Reducing dependence on the Bay-Delta system by protecting and improving native groundwater recharge will improve water supply in the Bay-Delta system
• Decreasing water export from the Bay-Delta system will improve its water quality.

CALFED Watershed Program objectives:

• Facilitate and improve coordination, collaboration and assistance among government agencies, other organizations and local watershed groups by integrating MRT research and increasing inter-agency awareness.
• Develop watershed monitoring and assessment protocols.
• Support education and community outreach.
• Integrate the Watershed Program with other Bay-Delta Program elements using efficiency in the Solution Scope.
• Define the relationship between watershed processes and the goals and objective of the CALFED Program.
• Implement a strategy ensuring support and long-term sustainability of local watershed activities by compiling baseline data for local watershed group. Research data may be used in refining existing watershed plans.

Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board priorities and objectives:

Mission Statement - to preserve and enhance the quality of California's water resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

• Provide background information about streams in the natural area on the Los Angeles River before they become heavily urbanized and industrialized.
• Expand and aid existing watershed plans.
• Assist in locating areas contributing to pollutants or concern.
• Provide groundwater recharge and water quality data to existing watershed projects to help integrate information and streamline processes and projects.