Publication Summary

The legislature created VRAs in 2006 in order to provide a means for groups of water users to enter into agreements with the state to acquire water for both instream and out-of-stream uses. VRA′s are one of the tools the Office of Columbia River may employ as it carries out its mandate under RCW 90.90.005 to "aggressively pursue the development of water supplies." This interim report updates the Legislature on the progress and status of VRAs. This report and the final report in 2011 will help Ecology and the Legislature determine if VRAs are a useful tool for allocating water and should be retained beyond the sunset date of June 30, 2012.