Voluntary Regional Agreement
Between Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association and Ecology

VRA Summary

Ecology and the Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association (CSRIA) are proposing 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.

Background Before entering into a VRA, Ecology is required to conduct 2 statutory reviews under RCW 90.90.030. The first is a consultation with affected, county legislative jurisdictions, tribal governments and watershed planning groups, federal agencies, and the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The second is a 30-day public comment period. On October 16, 2006, Ecology began the governmental consultation period on the following draft VRA.  List of Agencies Consulted DRAFT VRA (10/16/06) Between The Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association (CSRIA) and the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology)

This consultation phase ran through December 15, 2006 and we received the following comments. 

From December 15, 2006 to January 17, 2008, Ecology and CSRIA negotiated modifications to the VRA based on consultation comments. 

What’s the same about the new proposed VRA? What’s different?

However, the main theme of the consultation comments was the lack of clarity and detail in the first draft.  The new proposed VRA is responsive to these comments by clarifying who is covered by the VRA, what area is covered and what are the responsibilities of both Ecology and CSRIA.  There was also concern about how projects would be reviewed that would make water available for new water rights under the VRA.  The new proposed VRA includes a SEPA review to provide for public comment and consideration of environmental impacts.  Finally, the portion of the VRA involving new permanent water rights has been modified to a phased approach to allow for construction and evaluation of three pilot conservation projects. If the pilot projects prove to be viable, new water rights will be issued in the second phase of the VRA to match the water savings.

In 2006 Ecology prepared the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Columbia River Water Management Program, which included the CSRIA VRA as an early action item. Because of the proposed changes to the VRA, Ecology has prepared a SEPA addendum to the Final PEIS.

• SEPA Addendum to Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Columbia River Water Management Program.

The following examples and focus sheets may also assist your understanding of the VRA.

• VRA News Release - Columbia River water agreement puts saved water to use
• VRA Process Flowchart
• Example of how a water right could be issued to a farm under this VRA
• VRA Focus Sheet
• Voluntary Regional Agreement (VRA) - Frequently Asked Questions
• CSRIA Best Management Practices (BMPs)

How to apply for a drought permit under this VRA

CSRIA members may apply for a drought permit under this VRA by completing ALL of the following steps:

1. Download a water right application
2. At the top of the form, check the box marked "Permanent"
3. Write "CSRIA VRA Drought Permit" in the space below the word "Permanent" (just above "Follow the attached instructions.")
4. At the bottom of page 2, where it begins "Are there any other water rights..." please identify the interruptible water right that the drought permit will supplement. Please remember that the drought permit quantity cannot exceed the quantity approved for the interruptible right.
5. Below the signature lines on page 5, please check the box next to "Central" and handwrite "Columbia River Program" underneath it.
6. Complete the rest of the form.
7. Sign the form.
8. Mail the completed form and fees to: