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Participation in the Solve the Water Crisis Coalition • Page 2 term investments, improved science, and regulatory reforms to increase water supply and reliability for California. While Riverside has water rights in local groundwater basins that it relies on to produce 100% of its water supply, these basins, like all the other groundwater basins throughout the State, are experiencing drought conditions that will require future investment to ensure continued water supply resiliency into the future. Riverside has identified through its Urban Water Management Plan the need for imported water in the future; consequently, a resilient state water capture, storage and conveyance system is critically important. Through this Coalition, Riverside will have the opportunity to participate with Western Municipal Water District and other stakeholders to bring awareness to the need for greater water supply reliability and investing in the State's water infrastructure to the State legislators and leaders. The Coalition consists of public and private agencies and organizations from both southern and northern California. There are currently 21 member agencies and up to 48 other agencies in the outreach group considering membership. DISCUSSION: The mission of the Solve the Water Crisis Coalition is, through a critically needed education effort, to bring into sharp focus the ongoing water supply crisis that is already impacting residents' quality of life, economic growth, community health, and the environment, as well as risking California's future. By raising awareness among California policymakers and thought leaders, Solve the Water Crisis Coalition will demonstrate the enormous water supply crisis and the urgency that requires bold and immediate State action to secure California's future. Solve the Water Crisis Coalition will elevate the discussion of the water crisis plaguing California and use this drought as an opportunity to educate State leaders about the water supply crisis that must be addressed immediately to protect California's future and provide reliability to the State. The Coalition will educate the legislature and state officials about California's deteriorating water supply and the benefits of a comprehensive, long-term solution that results in increased water reliability. The Coalition will educate key audiences about the need for solutions to address the State's water supply and reliability issues and how new hydrologic realities require immediate investments in California's water management infrastructure. The Coalition will also focus its message on allocating a portion of the state's budget surpluses to help fund solutions to these statewide problems. Western Municipal Water District developed this Coalition and has taken the lead in advocating for the region's water agencies. As of mid-June, there are 21 confirmed Coalition members and an additional 48 agencies have expressed interest in joining. A Coalition Board made up of the paying members will meet monthly to assess progress and discuss strategy. A Steering Committee made up of 7-10 general managers will lead the Coalition, while obtaining feedback from the Coalition Board. Each participating agency is being asked to contribute a payment of $15,000 to fund the program. Western hired KP Public Affairs to manage this effort, and all the funds raised will cover the operating costs of running the Coalition, developing material, messaging, outreach and coalition building, media and website campaigns, completing research, and tracking and measuring the effects of this Coalition. By the end of September 2022, KP Public Affairs will create a report summarizing the outcomes and effectiveness of the Coalition, as well as recommendations for next steps. Depending on the success of this effort, a second phase may be implemented at which time a continued participation effort and a second round of funding may be requested.