About

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The North Coast Resource Partnership (NCRP) is a coalition of Tribes and counties working together on integrated regional planning and project implementation to enhance working and natural lands, built infrastructure, local economies and community health in the north coast of California. The NCRP – initially known as the North Coast Integrated Regional Water Management Plan – has been in existence since 2004, and has focused on ensuring clean and reliable drinking water supplies, watershed health, energy independence, climate adaptation and economic vitality – especially in economically disadvantaged communities.

The North Coast Region – comprising over 19,000 square miles and 12% of the landscape of California – is home to source watershed areas for much of the state’s drinking water and agricultural water supplies, and is also the source of much of the state’s forest based carbon sequestration and biological diversity. The North Coast is a rural region, home to some of the most economically disadvantaged communities in California.

The NCRP is an inclusive, transparent, stakeholder driven coalition – one of the few regional integrated planning programs in California which is led by locally elected Tribal and county government officials. NCRP leaders, staff, project proponents and stakeholders work collaboratively on water, natural resource, and energy challenges to reduce conflicts, integrate federal, state, regional and local priorities and identify and seek funding for the region’s highest priority multi-benefit projects. The NCRP places a strong emphasis on local autonomy and knowledge – recognizing the diverse perspectives in the region, focusing on common ground and shared interests, while planning and implementing projects prioritized by local communities.

Your agency/organization is invited to become a signatory to the North Coast Resource Partnership  Memorandum of Mutual Understanding (MOMU). The MOMU is intended to document long term understandings of the principles and goals of the NCRP. By signing onto the MoMU we increase the potential for North Coast projects to be eligible for grant funding by demonstrating that these projects are tied to a cooperative, coordinated IRWM planning effort currently underway. Please send signed copies of the MoMU to: Karen Gaffney, West Coast Watershed, PO Box 262, Healdsburg, CA 95448.

Please sign-up for regular e-mail updates to learn of upcoming funding opportunities and stay informed of new developments to the North Coast Resource Partnership and its process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the guiding principles of the North Coast Resource Partnership?

All NCRP actions and processes are guided by the following principles:

  • Local leadership and governance – collaborative Tribal and county direction and decision making
  • Transparency in all actions – meetings, decisions, planning and project selection
  • Local knowledge and local autonomy – one size does not fit all
  • Focus on common ground for the enhancement of all communities and watersheds
  • Equity and fairness in governance, engagement, participation, and all decisions and actions
  • Acknowledge Tribes as sovereign nations and support meaningful Tribal consultation
  • Focus on increasing investments and quality of life in economically disadvantaged communities
  • Use the best available information, science and data to prioritize investments
  • Align with and synchronize local, state, federal, Tribal priorities
  • Integrate multiple goals and objectives into all activities
  • All planning and capacity building focused on outcomes on the ground
  • Attract and leverage funding for the region, and use all funding effectively
  • Communicate and amplify the importance of the North Coast Region and the need for investment

Who are the members of the North Coast Resource Partnership?

The NCRP is governed by a Leadership Council (LC) comprised of Tribal and county representatives from the North Coast region. The LC sets direction, establishes criteria and investment targets, and makes all decisions for the NCRP. The LC is supported by the Technical Peer Review Committee (TPRC), an advisory body to the LC that provides scientific and technical expertise. Current membership is outlined on the NCRP Leadership Council, Technical Peer Review Committee, Executive & Ad Hod Committee Membership webpage.

Tribal representation in the NCRP governing body is a guiding principle for the NCRP. Collectively there are 12 seats secured for North Coast Tribes to guide the NCRP planning process, which includes 6 voting and 6 alternate seats. Tribal representatives vote along-side county representatives to shape the NCRP and address barriers to Tribal land, as well as forest, fire and water management in the North Coast. Tribal Representatives help to provide oversight to the NCRP planning process and help to choose which projects will be funded in the region to shape watershed and forest management, and guide Tribal participation in the Region.

The core NCRP staff team is comprised of representatives from Sonoma Water, the County of Humboldt, the California Indian Environmental Alliance, and West Coast Watershed, and the staff designated on behalf of each entity as needed. The NCRP relies on an array of consultants to support its planning and implementation efforts – some are long term consultants that play a foundational role in the ongoing functions and processes of the NCRP, while others are short term technical consultants hired for a specific need.

The NCRP is guided by a Memorandum of Mutual Understandings. Current signatories include over 160 agencies, Tribes, non-governmental organizations, watershed groups, special districts, private consultants, and other stakeholders – signifying their support for NCRP principles, goals, planning and implementation processes.

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What are some actions and accomplishments of the North Coast Resource Partnership initiatives, planning and projects?

The NCRP believes in return on investment and the effective use of limited taxpayer dollars. Since its inception, the partnership has placed a strong emphasis on measurable, on-the-ground outcomes for communities and the region’s working and natural landscapes; impacts that flow to the North Coast region as well as to other parts of California and the nation. We document the benefits from NCRP projects, including outcomes to the health of our watersheds and salmon fisheries, enhancements to water quality and supply, local economic development, energy efficiency and climate change solutions.

Download the NCRP Dashboard of Outcomes

How does the North Coast Resource Partnership function?

The North Coast Resource Partnership Policies and Procedures Handbook documents the decisions, history and approved institutional processes and protocols of the NCRP, including the governance structure, decision making process, technical review process, staff and consultant roles, NCRP mission, guiding principles, goals and objectives, project prioritization criteria, and all Leadership Council (LC) decisions and policies approved during NCRP quarterly meetings. The Handbook also lists projects identified and funded by the NCRP, and all NCRP plans and strategies reflect the guidance included in the Handbook. The NCRP Handbook is a “living document” and is reviewed, updated and approved by the LC on an annual or as-needed basis, during NCRP quarterly meetings.

How do I receive updates about NCRP funding opportunities and new developments?

Who do I contact with questions about the North Coast Resource Partnership?

Katherine Gledhill, Director of Project Development
kgledhill@northcoastresourcepartnership.org

Karen Gaffney, Director of Strategic Planning and Communications
kgaffney@northcoastresourcepartnership.org