Rob Harmon of Bonneville Environmental Foundation has been working with senior water rights holders in the American west, paying them to leave water in the stream, and restoring these vital ecosystems in the process. The source of money to pay these farmers is brewers of beer, who use a great deal of water. The brewers and their customers can feel good about the the restoration of ecosystems, while enjoying their favorite beverage, and the senior water rights holders get an incentive for the restoration. The market-based solution gets away from the age-old litigation of water rights in the west.
View this video from TedxRainer for more details:
