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Office of Columbia River (OCR) Operations

Operations staff support OCR's water supply development mission by performing a number of tasks, including:

• Water Use Compliance - The Columbia River Watermaster investigates potential water use violations. When a violation is found, the watermaster provides technical assistance to help the water user achieve compliance. If the water user fails to comply, the water master will pursue enforcement.
• Metering Oversight - OCR is working with water users to install meters along the Columbia River mainstem. The data is used to calculate the Columbia River's water budget.
• Public Outreach
  • Columbia River Policy Advisory Group (PAG) - The PAG, a group composed of local, state, tribal, and federal agencies and governments, water users, and environmental and business organizations,  helps OCR identify and shape policy issues.
  • Publications - Examples of publications range from technical documents like environmental impact statements to newsletters and videos.
  • "CWP" Email List (Listserv) - Keep up with the latest news about OCR projects by signing up for the newsletter.
• Trust Water Management - Water users may put water into trust on a temporary or permanent basis to avoid relinquishment and provide water for fish.
• Voluntary Regional Agreement (VRA) - A provison in the law that created the Columbia River Program allows OCR to enter into voluntary regional agreements with interested parties "for the purpose of providing new water for out-of-stream use, streamlining the application process, and protecting instream flow." In July 2008, OCR entered into a VRA with the Columbia-Snake River Irrigators Association. The VRA provision is slated to expire in 2012.