Instream Flow Dedications Alternative Investment Platforms for Watershed

Instream Flow Dedications Alternative Investment Platforms for Watershed Management 2012 Sierra Water Work Group Summit July 18, 2012 Chris Alford calford@americanrivers. org

Instream Flow Quantity & Timing • • • Water quality Ecosystem function Riverine processes Habitat Recreation Tourism

Water Rights Allocations: Beneficial Uses Agriculture Municipal & Domestic Industrial Power Generation Other Stock Watering Instream Flows ? ? ?

Instream Flow Dedication Methods • Conservation • Forbearance/Transfer • Timing • Management

• Conservation: – Municipal: Conserve to Enhance Tuscon (AZ), WRA Rushing Rivers Program (CO) – Agricultural: Deschutes River Conservancy (OR) Source: C 2 E Source: Western Resource Advocates

• Instream leasing/forbearance programs: – Rural Residential: Mattole Flow Program (CA) – Agricultural: Scott River Water Trust (CA), Columbia Basin Transactions Program (WA) Source: Sanctuary Forest Source: Bonneville Environmental Foundation

• Changes in Timing/Management: – Rural Residential: Mattole Flow Program (CA) – Agricultural: American Rivers Instream Flow Program (CA), TU Coastal Streamflow Stewardship Project (CA) – Indian Valley Meadow Restoration (CA)

CA Fully Appropriated Streams

Chris Alford calford@americanrivers. org