12: Diving into Washington’s Trust Water Rights Program with Kelsey Collins

Join Kristina Ribellia and Kelsey Collins as they dive into recent activities and updates involving one of the most valuable water rights tools in the West: Washington State’s Trust Water Rights Program.  

The Trust Water Rights Program, which protects water rights from relinquishment while retaining their original priority date, fell under close scrutiny after a 2019 Seattle Times article left the public and Legislature with pointed questions.  As a result of the Department of Ecology’s swift and thoughtful response, we now have better informed and engaged stakeholders, increased transparency, helpful guidance, and sound recommendations to continue creating win-wins for water users and streamflows across the state.  Get the details first-hand from Kelsey Collins.

Kelsey Collins is the Statewide Trust Water Coordinator and Water Acquisitions Lead for the Washington State Department of Ecology's Water Resources Program. Her duties include facilitating Ecology's water right acquisitions and policy support for the Trust Water Rights Program.

Get the full show notes on Western Water Market at:
https://westernwatermarket.com/podcast-episode/12