The Small Watershed Instream Flow Transfer (SWIFT) Working Group was formed to identify and reduce obstacles to the transfer of existing water rights to instream flow. Drawing on the members’ experience working with resource agency staff, water users and their representatives, the SWIFT Working Group develops practical guidelines and recommendations for successful and efficient completion of Section 1707 processes – particularly for transactions in smaller tributary and coastal streams with critical fish needs. Please feel free to contact any or all SWIFT members if you have a water right that you might like to leave instream, or need additional help navigating the instream flow dedication process. Although the SWIFT Working Group is currently not receiving dedicated funding, members are happy to help to the extent they are able.

SWIFT Working Group Members:

Mary Ann King, Trout Unlimited (mking@tu.org)
Trout Unlimited is the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring North America’s trout and salmon and their watersheds. www.tu.org

Amy Hoss, The Nature Conservancy (ahoss@TNC.ORG)
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization that leads projects in all fifty U.S. states designed to conserve and restore aquatic habitat and associated biodiversity in rivers large and small. The Conservancy’s on-the-ground projects experiment with real world solutions for meeting nature’s water needs while also meeting people’s needs. www.nature.org

Sari Sommarstrom, Scott River Water Trust (sari@sisqtel.net)
Scott River Water Trust is the first and only water trust in California, operating since 2007 in the Scott River watershed of the Klamath Basin, and focuses on win/win water options for farmers and fish. www.scottwatertrust.org

Carson Cox, American Rivers (ccox@americanrivers.org)
American Rivers is a national non-profit working to protect wild rivers, restore damaged rivers, and conserve clean water for people and nature. www.americanrivers.org

Chris Alford, Alford Environmental (alfordenvironmental@gmail.com)
Alford Environmental LLC provides environmental land and water management, conservation planning, and permitting services to agencies, non-profits, and landowners.