Columbia Basin Water Transactions Program January 14, 2005 A Presentation to the Oregon Water Resources Commission

“Whiskey’s for drinking, water’s for fightin’ over.” – Mark Twain Discussing Water Rights

A New Dialogue Program Director, NFWF, Since 2003 Executive Director, OWT, Andrew Purkey

Biological Opinion of the NOAA Fisheries Focus on Endangered Species Experimentation and innovation RPA 151 Program Authorities from 2000 – PART 1

Northwest Power and Conservation Council Focus on fish and wildlife across the Basin Creating a system for funding transactions Provision A8 Program Authorities from 2000 – PART 2 Biological Opinion of the NOAA Fisheries Focus on Endangered Species Experimentation and innovation RPA 151

Established in 2002 CBWTP

The Partnership Approach QLE = “Qualified Local Entity” Three agencies and seven non-profits in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington 1) Idaho Department of Water Resources 2) Trout Unlimited – Montana Water Project 3) Montana Water Trust 4) Bonneville Environmental Foundation 5) Deschutes Resources Conservancy 6) Oregon Water Resources Department 7) Oregon Water Trust 8) Walla Walla Watershed Alliance 9) Washington Department of Ecology 10) Washington Water Trust

State Agency Collaboration State Agency QLEs: IDWR + OWRD + WDOE = Support

Communities are Key Partners QLEs + Producers + Water Managers + Citizens = Success

7,000,000 irrigated acres = 1 irrigated acre/person Columbia Basin: The Big Picture

The Challenge: Over appropriation Average August flow versus total water rights

Low Stream flows + High Temperatures = Water Quality Concerns The Problem: Low Flow

Find Balance in the Basin The Solution

Improve fish & wildlife habitat: more water instream The Solution

Respect private property rights & irrigated agriculture The Solution

Work locally with market-based strategies The Solution

The Bottom Line More elasticity for biological systems and producers

The Bottom Line More elasticity for biological systems and producers Lessons learned apply to changing hydrologic conditions

Transaction Highlights

Oregon Water Trust Protecting history and restoring ecological flexibility New State Park with instream water right Thompson’s Mill – Calapooia River

Deschutes Resources Conservancy Putting the market to work Reverse auction Deschutes Basin

Priority Streams Identified by State Agencies

Water Transactions: Key Factors Considered by CBWTP

Salmonid stock status and species diversity Water Transactions: Key Factors Considered by CBWTP

Salmonid stock status and species diversity Off-Channel habitat diversity and condition Water Transactions: Key Factors Considered by CBWTP

Salmonid stock status and species diversity Riparian Conditions Off-Channel habitat diversity and condition Water Transactions: Key Factors Considered by CBWTP

Salmonid stock status and species diversity Riparian Conditions Off-Channel habitat diversity and condition Substrate Conditions Water Transactions: Key Factors Considered by CBWTP

Salmonid stock status and species diversity Riparian Conditions Off-Channel habitat diversity and condition Substrate Conditions Passage Conditions Water Transactions: Key Factors Considered by CBWTP

Salmonid stock status and species diversity Riparian Conditions Off-Channel habitat diversity and condition Substrate Conditions Passage Conditions Extent that flow limits salmonids Water Transactions: Key Factors Considered by CBWTP

Salmonid stock status and species diversity Riparian Conditions Off-Channel habitat diversity and condition Substrate Conditions Passage Conditions Extent that flow limits salmonids Mean monthly flow of the stream during summer months Water Transactions: Key Factors Considered by CBWTP

Thinking About Climate Change

The Next 50 Years Warming = Spring snowpack reduction and lower Summer streamflows.

CBWTP: Managing a Changing Hydrograph Prepare Partners to factor in climate change

CBWTP: Managing a Changing Hydrograph Prepare Partners to factor in climate change Consider how to expand our role with producers facing change

Policy Implications FLEXIBILITY

Contact CBWTP Andrew Purkey & Colette Lord National Fish & Wildlife Foundation 806 SW Broadway, Suite 750 Portland, OR (503) WEB: