Office of Columbia River > OCR Projects & Funding

OCR Projects & Funding

Overview

In 2006, the Legislature tasked the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) to aggressively seek out new water supplies for both instream and out-of-stream uses. (Chap. 90-90 RCW). The same legislation established the Columbia River Basin Development Account and authorized $200 million to fund it. The Office of Columbia River (OCR) set aside a significant portion of this money to fund annual competitive grants for local water storage and conservation projects that preserve and enhance the standard of living for the people of Washington by strengthening the state’s economy, and restoring and protecting the Columbia Basin’s unique natural environment.

Each year, OCR has funded projects consistent with our legislative mandate to "aggressively pursue development of water supplies to benefit both instream and out-of-stream water uses".  OCR has developed separate grant processes for different types of water supply projects, including Modification of Existing Storage, New Large Storage, Conservation and Acquisition. (see funding flowchart)

 

Projects at a Glance All OCR projects with status, location, cost, benefits,and yield information (pdf). Interactive Funding Map This interactive funding map summarizes Columbia River Account Investments since 2006.   How we calculate economic benefits.

Columbia River Account Summary   Budget Pie Chart   Water Development Progress

Grant Funding Process and Application

In 2010, OCR simplified the grant process to allow year-round submission.

• New Grant Funding Process
• Apply for a Columbia River Basin Water Management Grant

Pre-2010 Grant Process

2009

• 2009 Grant Funding Focus Sheet
• Grant funding timeline

2008

• 2008 Grant Funding Focus Sheet
• Ecology Funding List  (Summary of Costs & Benefits)
• Grant Funding Timeline

2007 Budget Priorities

• Budget Priorities