Abstract
Water right markets are defined by a competition for water resources from agricultural, environmental, industrial and urban sectors. All these demands are present in the Clark Fork River Basin. The emergence of an active water market will provide significant benefits to water management on the Clark Fork River, including
- More efficient use of water.
- Mechanism to facilitate future water transfers.
- A cost-effective, timely, voluntary, and transparent marketplace.
- Increased instream flows and other ecosystems gains.
- Encouraged land and water use planning.
Even so, criticisms of speculation, price collusion, and a drive for power continue to arise in market based discussions. Assessing these pros and cons is necessary to water market development. An ongoing project in the heart of the rapidly growing Missoula County provides an example of how water marketing benefits the basin and river. Grass Valley French Ditch Company desires to reallocate a portion of its irrigation shares to new ecosystem, domestic, and industrial demands within its water distribution system. Achieving this objective through water right marketing provides a win-win solution for the company and the community.
Start Date
5-3-2010 4:00 PM
End Date
5-3-2010 4:30 PM
Document Type
Presentation
How water marketing can benefit the Clark Fork
Water right markets are defined by a competition for water resources from agricultural, environmental, industrial and urban sectors. All these demands are present in the Clark Fork River Basin. The emergence of an active water market will provide significant benefits to water management on the Clark Fork River, including
- More efficient use of water.
- Mechanism to facilitate future water transfers.
- A cost-effective, timely, voluntary, and transparent marketplace.
- Increased instream flows and other ecosystems gains.
- Encouraged land and water use planning.
Even so, criticisms of speculation, price collusion, and a drive for power continue to arise in market based discussions. Assessing these pros and cons is necessary to water market development. An ongoing project in the heart of the rapidly growing Missoula County provides an example of how water marketing benefits the basin and river. Grass Valley French Ditch Company desires to reallocate a portion of its irrigation shares to new ecosystem, domestic, and industrial demands within its water distribution system. Achieving this objective through water right marketing provides a win-win solution for the company and the community.