Ecology and the Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association Enter Into A Voluntary Regional Agreement

Department of Ecology

"Ecology and the Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association (CSRIA) have entered into a Voluntary Regional Agreement (VRA) as provided for in RCW 90.90.030. The purpose of this VRA is to provide new water for the issuance of drought permits to existing interruptible water rights holders and new water rights on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. This VRA provides that the issuance of these new water rights cannot reduce or negatively impact stream flows in the months of July and August (April through August for the Snake River). To meet this standard of protection, Ecology and CSRIA will pursue conservation, storage, acquisition and other opportunities to provide new water to offset new withdrawals during the summer months."