Purpose
- Explores and develops market-based solutions.
Summary
PERC is developing a comprehensive analysis of water market policy across Western states, with a focus on the state-level barriers and opportunities that can enable voluntary water conservation to function at scale. The report will examine the legal, institutional, and market conditions that shape water transactions across the West, including instream flow rights, short-term leasing, challenge and objection processes, transfer infrastructure, and water banking systems. Through a comparative state-by-state analysis, the project will identify where elements of water markets are functional, where barriers remain, and what targeted reforms could unlock broader participation from private landowners, conservation organizations, and water users. The findings will provide policymakers with actionable recommendations to support more scalable and incentive-driven approaches to water management across the Colorado River Basin and other water systems.
Purpose
This project explores and develops market-based solutions to Western water scarcity by identifying state-level policy reforms that can improve water markets, reduce barriers to voluntary water transfers, and better align incentives for conservation. Through comparative policy analysis and research, the project seeks to advance scalable, incentive-driven approaches that enable more flexible and effective water management.
Scope
This is a multi-state regional project focused on water market policy and conservation across the Western United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
