columbia basin water transactions program january 14, 2005 a presentation to the oregon water...
TRANSCRIPT
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
250
300
E. Birch Cr. 15 mile Cr. Little Butte Cr. Squaw Cr.
Flo
w (
cfs)
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: [email protected]: www.cbwtp.org