The voluntary, market-based BEF WRC® program provides farmers, ranchers and other water users with an economic incentive to devise new water management solutions that restore water to critically dewatered ecosystems.
Each BEF WRC® represents 1,000 gallons of water restored in a stream or river on your behalf and directly contributes to restoring the recreational and ecological vitality of critical freshwater ecosystems. And you know exactly what you are getting!
To assure the quality of your BEF WRCs®, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, a widely recognized leader in freshwater restoration for the past 12 years, reviews all BEF WRC® flow restoration projects and ensures their optimum environmental benefit.
Physical access to water is limited. When the demand outstrips the lands ability to provide the needed water you have water scarcity. There are an increasing number of regions in the world where physical scarcity is a man-made condition. In fact, water is becoming ever scarcer because:
- We are withdrawing freshwater from surface water sources and groundwater aquifers at rates faster than it gets replenished or recharged.
- Much of the world’s fresh water is degrading. Even if there is enough water, it may not be good enough to meet human needs.
- Water demand is often insufficiently restrained because of inadequate price mechanisms and outdated legal rules that set few limits on excessive use.
- An increasing number of people on the planet create rising demand for water.
- Some technologies waste more water than alternative new technologies, but they are expensive to replace.
- High-demand users sometimes are geographically concentrated in regions that cannot sustain demand levels.4
1. BEF WRCs® make water allocation laws work more efficiently.
The Problem: In the western USA, the general principle is that water rights are not connected to land ownership. Water rights can be lost over time if non-use of the water source is demonstrated or if the water has not been used for a certain number of years.[1] This “use it or lose it” policy can encourage inefficient water practices because landowners are forced to use all of their allotted water whether they need it or not. Diverted water is leaving many streams completely dry or with so little water that they can’t support fish, wildlife, and recreation.
How BEF WRCs® help: Thankfully, ecological purposes, such as maintaining a natural body of water and the wildlife that depends on it, have been accepted as beneficial uses in some jurisdictions. This means that water rights holders can officially restore water to rivers and streams without giving up their valuable water rights forever. WRCs are designed to facilitate the lease or transfer of water rights to be used for the benefit of the environment. By leaving water in the stream where it is protected and unavailable for any other use, WRCs help critically dewatered rivers and streams become healthy and flowing again.
2. BEF WRCs® make water-efficient technologies more affordable.
The Problem: Each year, outdated irrigation systems in the U.S. can leak up to 80% of the water they attempt to transfer to thirsty crops.
How BEF WRCs® help: Addressing this challenge with modernized irrigation systems is just one of the innovative solutions that funding from the BEF Water Restoration Certificate® program supports. As a result, irrigators divert less water from rivers, thus restoring water to dewatered sections of vital streams and rivers.
3. BEF WRCs® restore groundwater and water quality by supporting the restoration of wetlands.
Problem: Disrupted water flow to wetlands does away with natural water storage systems, water filtration processes and destroys unique habitats.
How BEF WRCs® help: Water rights are permanently or temporarily acquired, and/or on-site construction activities are implemented to augment groundwater tables or increase the volume of water available to support ecological functions of wetland ecosystems.
Click here to see a detailed overview of all projects WRCs support »
Definitions
“Company” means Just Energy Advanced Solutions LLC dba terrapass. “Customer” or “you” means the person(s) or company whose order for the Goods is accepted by Company. “Goods” means any goods or services which Company is to supply to you.
All orders are accepted by Company subject to and according to the following terms which override and exclude any other terms stipulated, incorporated or referred to by you during any negotiations or in any course of dealing between Company and you.
Sales
All prices quoted include applicable sales taxes and levies in accordance with the law of Company’s jurisdiction. Delaware law governs these terms.
Company will provide reasonable proof of actions for all carbon offset purchases which demonstrate that the promised quantity of carbon emissions have been reduced/sequestered. This proof of actions will be available on terrapass.com and may include certification by a 3rd party.
Subscriptions
When you purchase a subscription every month Company will bill you in the amount stated at the time of purchase using the payment method you specified. Subscriptions begin as soon as you have completed enrollment including payment confirmation. Subscriptions renew automatically each month unless you cancel the subscription. Company may change its pricing but subscription billings will not be changed without your permission. You may cancel subscriptions at any time by contacting Company.
Legal construction / Force majeure / Exports
Company will not be liable to you or be deemed to be in breach of these terms due to any delay in performing or any failure to perform any of Company’s obligations under these terms if the delay or failure was due to any cause beyond Company’s reasonable control (which include, but are not limited to government actions, war, fire, explosion, flood, acts of terrorism, import or export regulations or embargoes, labor disputes or inability to obtain or a delay in obtaining supplies of Goods or labor). Company may at its option delay the performance of or cancel the whole or any part of a purchase.
