Project 2002-013-01:Water Entity - CBWTP, Contract 80638:2002-013-01 EXP NFWF WATER ENTITY - CBWTP

Project 2002-013-01:

https://www.cbfish.org/Project.mvc/Display/2002-013-01



Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and the Northwest Power and Conservation Council established the Columbia Basin Water Transactions Program (CBWTP) in 2002 in response to Reasonable and Prudent Alternative 151 of the 2000 Federal Columbia River Power System Biological Opinion and Provision A.8 of the Council’s 2000 Fish and Wildlife Program. The primary focus of the CBWTP is to fund water transactions that restore streamflow on ecologically-significant Columbia Basin tributaries. The CBWTP is administered through a partnership between BPA and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).

Subbasin plans and other habitat assessments throughout the Columbia Basin cite inadequate streamflows as a key factor limiting the productivity of both anadromous and resident fish species. Water transactions provide an effective and appropriate response to this key limiting factor. Restored streamflow benefit multiple fish species, particularly Chinook and Steelhead.

The CBWTP works through nine qualified local entities (QLEs). The QLEs include three state water agencies and six nonprofit organizations (see attached list). These QLEs receive funds to implement and monitor water transactions in multiple priority watersheds throughout the Columbia Basin. These water transactions have included a number of innovative methods, including split-season leases, source switches, permanent purchases and water produced through significant capital investments in irrigation efficiency projects. The term of these deals has varied from short-term to permanent. The CBWTP anticipates that transactions funded will be increasingly long-term and permanent deals providing instream benefits beyond the year of funding.



Contract 80638:

https://www.cbfish.org/Contract.mvc/Summary/80638



The primary focus of the CBWTP is to fund water transactions that restore streamflow on ecologically-significant Columbia Basin tributaries. The CBWTP is administered through a cooperative agreement between BPA and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).

Subbasin plans and other habitat assessments throughout the Columbia Basin cite inadequate streamflows as a key factor limiting the productivity of both anadromous and resident fish species. Water transactions provide an effective and appropriate response to this key limiting factor. Restored streamflow benefit multiple fish species, particularly Chinook and Steelhead.

The CBWTP works through ten qualified local entities (QLEs). The QLEs now include four state water agencies and six nonprofit organizations. These QLEs receive funds to implement and monitor water transactions in multiple priority watersheds throughout the Columbia Basin.

Since 2002, the QLEs have completed over 450 water right transactions that have restored over 1.29 million acre-feet of flow to key tributary streams in the Columbia Basin. These transactions have included a number of innovative methods, including split-season leases, source switches, permanent purchases and water produced through significant capital investments in irrigation efficiency projects. The term of these deals has varied from short-term to permanent. The CBWTP anticipates that transactions funded during the upcoming year will include long-term and permanent deals providing instream benefits beyond the year of funding.