For more information, please follow this link: https://www.nfwf.org/programs/columbia-basin-water-transactions-program/columbia-basin-water-transactions-program-2023-request-proposals

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is requesting proposals to enhance, restore, and protect stream flows for key fish habitat in the Columbia Basin. The Columbia Basin Water Transaction Program (CBWTP) funds water transactions development and implementation in the United States portion of the Columbia Basin and is the largest voluntary instream flow restoration program in the country. Since its inception in 2002, the CBWTP has implemented over 661 voluntary water transactions and secured over 12.5 million acre feet of water in flow-limited tributaries of the Columbia River Basin. The CBWTP works across portions of Oregon, Washington, Montana and Idaho, and its investments in water transactions have increased stream flows for the benefit of native fish species, including Pacific salmon, steelhead trout, and resident fish species.

Approximately $1.8 million will be available for programmatic support allowing for staff time, limited travel, supplies/materials, and other associated costs of developing a water transaction(s). NFWF will only accept proposals for programmatic support to develop water transactions under this solicitation, not for water acquisitions. Applicants must show organizational history and competency of implementing water transactions and dedicating water instream in this region. Funding for this program will be primarily provided by Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). A portion of the funding from BPA is dedicated to the areas of the Columbia River basin that are covered by the Columbia Basin Fish Accords with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. Proposals in these geographies should be separate from proposals for other geographies.

Once an entity is selected through this Request for Proposals (RFP), they will be considered a Qualified Local Entity (QLE) and will be able to apply for funding to pay for individual water transactions during the term of their grant agreement through a competitive process. More information on the water transaction solicitation process can be found here.

Qualification status will last three years from the time a full proposal is approved, pending satisfactory annual performance reviews. Existing QLEs will have the option to submit a budget amendment in lieu of a full proposal in the two subsequent years post initial selection.