Valley District Kicks off Local Headwaters Resiliency Partnership by San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District May 10, 2021 Member Submitted News SAN BERNARDINO – On May, 4, 2021, the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District Board of Directors announced the establishment of a new, ongoing Headwaters Resilience Partnership (Partnership) aimed at identifying big solutions to confront the worsening challenges with water supply and natural resources that we currently face in our forest headwaters. The Partnership will also focus on identifying innovative ways to fund proactive investments in the long-term health of our National Forests. “Our region is experiencing a changing climate, ongoing drought conditions, and increased risk of wildfires and more extreme storm events, creating severe impacts on sensitive environmental resources, and drinking water supplies,” said Board President Paul Kielhold. The first meeting of the new Headwaters Resilience Partnership, on May 12, 2021, will be with the staff of the San Bernardino National Forest, followed by meetings with other public agencies (local, state, and federal) and numerous highly-invested community stakeholders to address environmental issues that affect our quality of life and sustainability in the San Bernardino mountains and valley. “We envision this as a big tent approach, where we welcome everyone with ideas on improving the health and ecological function of our forest headwaters to join the Partnership” said CEO/General Manager Heather Dyer. “As we identify solutions and speak with one voice, our message is that stakeholders in the San Bernardino headwaters and the valley cannot rely solely upon outside help to begin addressing these significant challenges. Healthy headwaters are critical to our water supply, habitat function, and the well-being of the communities living near and within the San Bernardino National Forest. We need to start this initiative now and we need to do it together.” In addition to monitoring problems created by natural drought conditions and multiple other threats within our headwaters, the Board of Directors continues to express its commitment to pursuing a course of action to identify creative solutions and partnerships that will improve the ecological function of headwater tributaries in the Santa Ana River watershed. Priority issues for the Partnership will include supporting activities like fuels reduction and wildfire prevention; community preparation for wildfire response; ecological health and function of the headwater streams; native species habitat, including minimum flow and aquatic organism passage; and promoting education and responsible recreation on our public forest lands. “The Valley District Board and staff look forward to working with the Forest Service and our passionate local community to develop and implement meaningful solutions to the many challenges presented in the headwaters of our watershed, which is home to many important native species, vibrant communities, important businesses, and local public recreation,” stated Ms. Dyer. Valley District imports water into its service area through the State Water Project and manages groundwater storage within its boundaries. Valley District covers approximately 325 square miles and spans the eastern two-thirds of the San Bernardino Valley, the Crafton Hills, and a portion of the Yucaipa Valley and includes the cities and communities of San Bernardino, Colton, Loma Linda, Redlands, Rialto, Bloomington, Highland, East Highland, Mentone, Grand Terrace, and Yucaipa, serving a population of over 700,000 people. Find out more at www.sbvmwd.com # # # Contact: Kristeen Farlow External Affairs Manager Phone: (909)285-6565 kristeenf@sbvmwd.com Contact: Heather Dyer CEO/General Manager Phone: (909)387-9200 heatherd@sbvmwd.com