The MT Water Market - An opportunity for Irrigation Companies

I just signed up for a scribd account. I will be utilizing this web platform to share my concept papers and publications on water rights and water markets. Just consider this the written version of slideshare. Below, is my first upload.

The Montana Water Market: An opportunity for irrigation Companies

"modern" water: blue turns green

Just a quick note to recognize a recent article in the Ravalli Republic. Enjoy.

On a side note, the image above is taken from an April 1905 print of the Anaconda Standard-

back when water was blue.

dear olympics: where's the snow?

What? "No snow" at the 2010 Winter Olympics? It may surprise you, but it doesn't surprise me. OK, maybe it is because I pay close attention to snow/water trends in this neck of the woods. Yes East, I realize you have been receiving plenty of snow lately, but I am not talking about you. I'm talking about the recent snowpack trends of the Pacific Northwest.

For starters, how about this figure provided by the Climate Impacts Group?

I realize many are skeptical of any website associated with the word "Climate"; however, it is hard to argue with the two photos (below) of the Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park. The publication I cropped these photos from - Low Flows, Hot Trout - states that only 27 of the original 150 Glaciers that defined the park remain. This dwindling number (27) is projected to reach zero by 2030.

Although the negative impact of "no snow" at the Winter Olympics is obvious, I am looking at the larger picture: WATER.

Greater Vancouver has experience 276% population growth since 1951. If these trends continue (less snow and more people), I believe the downhill slalom will be the least of their concerns.

On a lighter note, decreasing supply and increasing demands creates great opportunities for market based solutions.

mark your calendars: bitter root water forum presentation

another water value: fun

I realize I spend most of my time discussing how we can utilize markets to efficiently allocate water where demand is high and supply is low. As a change of pace, I thought the video above provides a friendly reminder of the aesthetic values of water.

are exempt wells fair?

A picture is worth a thousand words. At least, that was my initial reaction to this aerial photo taken in Gallatin County, Montana. This picture accurately depicts the growing exempt well controversies across Montana (Petitions, TU, Aquadoc) and Washington (Governor, CELP, DOE). If you don't fully understand the photo, here is a little clarification:

1. Permit. Represents a permitted irrigation water right.

2. Exempt. Represents a new residential development, quenching its thirst and watering its lawns, on several exempt wells (water rights).

In my mind, this begs the question: are exempt wells fair?