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Home My WebLink AboutIWRP Engagement PresentationIntegrated Water Resources Plan Update Community Engagement Plan Matt Wittern, Raftelis | April 8, 2025 25+ years serving clients and customers in the public sector. Operates specifically at the nexus of western United States water issues and stakeholder engagement that informs sound public policy. Matt Wittern, APR, PMP Manager 2 Specialties •Communications Strategy •Stakeholder Engagement •Coalition Building •Primary and Secondary Research •Expert Positioning •Media Relations & Social Media Raftelis Helping local governments thrive 3 Executive recruitment Financial planningOrganizational assessments Communications & outreach Data & technologyStrategic planning ExperienceNational With more than… 140+consultants across the U.S. Raftelis has aided more than 1,200+public agencies Agenda 4 1.Setting the Stage 2.Engagement Plan Overview 3.Early Engagement Questions 5 Setting the Stage Informs Policy and Practice The IWRP helps inform how Bozeman manages water. Bozeman’s IWRP History The City developed its first IWRP in 2013. It looks forward 50 years to estimate how much water Bozeman may need and where it will come from. This project is an update to the existing IWRP. The City will maintain existing programs. 6 Supports Short- and Long-Term Planning The IWRP considers growth, climate, and other factors to prepare for the future. Established the Conservation Program The City’s current conservation program was developed in response to the 2013 IWRP. Included Some Engagement A Technical Advisory Committee played a crucial role in informing the 2013 IWRP. Why Update the IWRP Now? 7 A Sustainable Water Future As Bozeman continues to grow, it’s critical to build a sustainable water future to support a thriving community for generations. Changing Needs The IWRP needs to be updated to capture a changing community landscape and changing climate and water supply. 8 Progress Made Since the 2013 IWRP Water Conservation Program Average water demand has decreased by 25 gallons per person per day. Hyalite Reservoir Share Acquisition City has and continues to acquire shares in Hyalite Reservoir. Non-Potable Irrigation Two large city-owned systems to ensure more treated water is available for essential use. Groundwater Supply Feasibility Analysis Examining whether the City can develop groundwater supplies to expand Bozeman’s water supply. Optimization of Existing Supplies and Infrastructure Realized water savings through improved operations, including by addressing leaks in the distribution system. Realized and Projected Supply Expansion 9 Projected Supply Expansion The projected additional volume of water that will be realized through supply projects outlined in the next 5-year CIP is 1,575 AF. Realized Supply Expansion Through supply development projects, the City has realized 1,334 AF of water to date. Realized and Projected Water Savings 10 Projected Savings Additional projected savings through conservation over the next five years is 1,000 AF. Realized Savings The water conservation program has saved 1,596 AF of water to date. 11 Engagement Plan Overview What Is Engagement? 12 “…any process that involves the public in problem-solving or decision- making and uses public input to make sustainable decisions.” – IAP2 Engagement Goals 13 Consult and Involve the Public •Obtain public feedback on goals and alternatives being considered. •Use public feedback to inform IWRP updates. Collaborate with the Water Advisory Committee (WAC) •Include WAC in alternatives development. •Provide WAC recommendation to the Commission. Conceptual WAC Subgroups 14 Technical Advisory Subcommittee (TAC) •Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators, Farmers Canal Company, Middle Creek Ditch Company •Engineering Representative •Gallatin Watershed Council •Member(s) of the Public •Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology •Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation •Montana Trout Unlimited Public Advisory Subcommittee (PAC) •Development Representative/SWMBIA •Economic Vitality Board Representative •Inter Neighborhood Council •Member(s) of the Public •Montana State University •Regional Housing Coalition •Sustainability Board Representative Conceptual WAC Subgroups 15 Throughout the process, the IWRP team will request input from community members regarding attitudes towards alternatives, alternative ranking criteria, and final Alternative Portfolios. Community Input We’ll provide regular updates via digital and in-person communication. At the end of the IWRP update process, we will provide an engagement report detailing how input was incorporated into the process. Reporting Back How Engagement Informs the IWRP 16 The WAC will be directly involved in updating the IWRP, from data review to a final recommendation for Commission. Water Advisory Committee Engagement Timeline Engagement is foundational to the IWRP update to ensure community input is collected and appropriately incorporated into the updated plan. Engagement phases include: 17 Engagement Planning Early Engagement Continued Engagement and Alternatives Development Develop and Deliver Updated IWRP Phase I: Engagement Planning February – May 2025 18 Communication Tools Engage Bozeman, newsletter and webpage draft content, community engagement plan, one-on-one conversations with community groups and leaders to establish WAC Actions •Draft community engagement plan and present to the Commission •Develop draft Engage Bozeman content •Initiate WAC establishment and select WAC members Goal •Prepare for engagement, gather early information to inform Project Management Team and WAC Phase II: Early Engagement June – October 2025 19 Communication Tools Engage Bozeman newsletter and webpage, e-notification, utility bill message, mailer, press release, Bozeman.net front page banner and webpage, and social media posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Nextdoor Actions •Conduct influencer interviews •Host monthly WAC meetings •Host community meeting(s) •Publish communication materials Goals •Lay the groundwork for alternatives analysis with the WAC. Begin developing awareness of the IWRP process and establish community priorities through in-person and virtual engagement. Phase III: Continued Engagement and Alternatives Development November 2025 - May 2026 20 Communication Tools Engage Bozeman newsletter and webpage, e-notification, utility bill message, mailer, press release, Bozeman.net front page banner and webpage, and social media posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Nextdoor Actions •Host WAC meetings every six weeks •Host community meeting(s) •Publish community survey and share survey report •Publish communication materials Goals •Review and discuss alternatives and develop final WAC recommendation. Gather community input on alternatives to inform the final IWRP. Phase IV: Develop and Deliver Updated IWRP June - October 2026 21 Communication Tools Communication tools: Engage Bozeman newsletter and webpage, e-notification, utility bill message, mailer, press release, Bozeman.net front page banner and webpage, and social media posts on Facebook, Instagram, and Nextdoor Actions •Further develop technical analyses of alternatives and prepare the updated report •Provide final report and WAC recommendations to City Commission •Publish the final report and key actions across community channels Goals •Develop and deliver final IWRP Questions for the Commission 22 1 Engagement Approach Does the Commission agree with the approach to IWRP engagement? 2 Water Advisory Committee How much involvement in the WAC would the Commission like to have? 3 Committee Groups Does the Commission agree with groups to invite to be included on the WAC? Contact: Matt Wittern 303 305 1147 / mwittern@raftelis.com 23 Thank you! Key Potential Partners 24 Internal •City Commission (Decision maker) •City Communication and Engagement Team •City Community Development Department •City Economic Development Department •City Manager’s Office •City Parks Department •City Utilities Department •Community Development Board •Economic Vitality Board •Sustainability Board External •Chamber of Commerce •City of Belgrade •Community Members/Residents •Department of Environmental Quality •Department of Natural Resources and Conservation •Development/Design Professionals •Farmers Canal Company Board •Gallatin Association of Realtors •Gallatin County •Gallatin Watershed Council •Inter Neighborhood Council •Landowners / Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators •Local Businesses •Middle Creek Ditch Company Board •Montana State University •Montana Trout Unlimited •Regional Housing Coalition •SW Montana Building Association How much water does Bozeman have after accounting for approved development? Legal Water Rights (AF/Year) Historical Hydrology (1 in 50 year drought AF/Year) Total Supply 16,517 11,920 2024 Actual Use = 7,110 (AF/year) 43%60% 2024 Use + Approved Development Demand = 8,054 (AF/year) 49%68% 944 AF of water demand is associated with currently approved development. Snapshot in Time – Water Resource Management •Water Supply & Optimization Tool provides the City with improved data to proactively manage water supplies •Current demands •Projected demands associated with approved development projects (instead of assumed growth rate) •Legal & reliable water supply •Drought Management Plan •Recent demand reduction strategies •Permanent mandatory watering restrictions •Water efficient landscape ordinance •Recent supply projects •Additional shares acquired in Hyalite Reservoir •Use of non-potable water for irrigation •Sunset Hills Cemetery •Sports Park Phase Objectives •Develop engagement plan and materials •Initiate establishment of Water Advisory Committee (WAC) Select WAC Members •Create committee Community Input •Internal planning Feb. – May 2025 ENGAGEMENT PLANNING IWRP Update: Project Timeline 27 Phase Objectives •Convene WAC •Solidify process objectives •Review and analyze foundational data WAC Engagement •Meet monthly to lay the groundwork for alternatives analysis Community Input •Begin developing awareness of the IWRP update process through multi-channel in-person and virtual stakeholder engagement Final Draft Report Delivered to the City Phase Objectives •Establish, analyze, and rank alternatives •Provide Alternative Portfolios and final recommendation WAC Engagement •Meet every six weeks to discuss alternatives and develop final materials Community Input •Gather input on alternative options, ranking, and portfolio through public meetings and other collection tools Jun. – Oct. 2025 EARLY ENGAGEMENT Nov. 2025 – May 2026 ALTERNATIVES DEVELOPMENT Fall 2026 IWRP Update