Columbia Basin Water Transactions Program
This grant funds expert economic and legal analysis of water rights transactions to restore stream flows and fish habitat in the Columbia River Basin.
Funder: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Due Dates: July 22, 2026: Request for Quotations: Water Transaction Economic Valuation | July 22, 2026: Request for Quotations: Legal Support for Water Transactions in the Columbia Basin
Funding Amounts: Up to $55,000 (Economic Valuation RFQ) | Up to $90,000 (Legal Support RFQ); project periods through September 30, 2027, with possible annual extensions.
Summary: Supports expert economic valuation and legal review for voluntary water rights transactions to restore stream flows and fish habitat in the Columbia River Basin.
Key Information: Proposals must be submitted electronically by 5:00 PM PST / 8:00 PM EST July 22, 2026.
Description
The Columbia Basin Water Transactions Program (CBWTP), managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), funds and coordinates voluntary water rights acquisitions and legal/economic reviews to restore and protect instream flows in critical tributaries of the Columbia River Basin. The program aims to improve habitat for native and threatened fish species—including Pacific salmon, steelhead trout, and resident fish—by balancing ecological and out-of-stream water uses through market-based transactions.
For the 2026 cycle, NFWF is seeking two types of expert support via Requests for Quotations (RFQs):
- Economic Valuation: Qualified contractors will review, analyze, and report on the cost-effectiveness and fair market value of proposed water transactions, ensuring responsible allocation of program funds.
- Legal Support: Legal experts will review transaction proposals for legal sufficiency, conduct due diligence, and provide guidance on legal risks and documentation for water rights transactions.
Both opportunities are integral to CBWTP’s mission of sustaining stream flows and aquatic ecosystems across Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
