Congratulations to the California Department of Water Resources and the hundreds of stakeholders who helped develop the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan 2017 Update (CVFPP), which guides California’s participation in managing flood risk and lays out a vision for flood system improvements over time.
The 2017 CVFPP Update was adopted on August 25, 2017 with broad support from stakeholders who were engaged throughout the development of the Plan.
On September 4, 2017, the Floodplain Management Association presented the Department with its Award for Excellence for exceptional work in developing the floodplain management programs outlined in the 2017 CVFPP Update. The CVFPP was recognized, in part, for its extensive, multi-faceted outreach process with stakeholders ranging from local flood entities, agricultural interests, non-governmental organizations, tribal communities, state and federal agencies, and elected officials.
Over the past five years, Kearns & West supported the stakeholder process through facilitated work groups, coordinated formal and informal briefings, coordination between DWR and Regional Flood Management Planning groups, and designed and implemented an array of additional engagement opportunities, including open houses, public workshops, and webinars.
Additionally, Kearns & West facilitated the Interagency Advisory Committee that guided the development of the CVFPP’s Conservation Strategy which outlines a process for ecosystem function improvement through the integration of ecological restoration with flood risk reduction.