columbia basin water transactions program january 14, 2005 a presentation to the oregon water...

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 2003Executive Director, OWT, 1994-2002

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 Resources2) Trout Unlimited – Montana Water Project3) Montana Water Trust4) Bonneville Environmental Foundation5) Deschutes Resources Conservancy6) Oregon Water Resources Department7) Oregon Water Trust8) Walla Walla Watershed Alliance9) Washington Department of Ecology10) 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

0

50

100

150

200

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E. Birch Cr. 15 mile Cr. Little Butte Cr. Squaw Cr.

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Ave Aug FlowTotal Water Rights

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 LordNational Fish & Wildlife Foundation806 SW Broadway, Suite 750Portland, OR 97205(503) 417-8700EMAIL: andrew.purkey@nfwf.orgWEB: www.cbwtp.org