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Columbia River Treaty
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Columbia River Treaty Review
The Columbia River Treaty is a trans-boundary water management agreement between the U.S. and Canada that was signed in 1961 and ratified in 1964. One of the key principles of the Columbia River Treaty (Treaty) is to create and equitably share benefits resulting from the trans-boundary coordination.
Although the Treaty has no specified end date, either Canada or the U.S. can unilaterally terminate most of the agreement provisions as early as September 16, 2024, provided that at least 10 years notice is given (on or before September 16, 2014). Read more
Summary of November 2013 Community Meetings Now Online
In November 2013, the Columbia River Treaty Review Team (Treaty Review Team) fulfilled their commitment to “close the loop” and inform Basin residents how their interests had been considered. The Treaty Review Team held meetings in six communities: Jaffray, Cranbrook, Golden, Nakusp, Castlegar and Valemount and provided a LiveStream option during the meeting in Castlegar so more Basin residents could participate. Read more
Company Engaged in Valuation of U.S. Benefits From the Treaty
In December 2013, the U.S. Entity submitted a final regional recommendation to the U.S. Department of State. The recommendation is to seek a modernized framework for the Treaty that balances power production, flood risk management, and ecosystem-based function as the primary purposes, while also recognizing and implementing all authorized purposes that include irrigation, municipal and industrial use, in-stream flows, navigation, and recreation. Read more
Further Resources
Did you know the Columbia River Treaty Review website has links to other websites that can provide further information about the Columbia River Treaty and key stakeholders? Read more
Kudos for the Columbia River Treaty Review Team!
Each year, the budgets and initiatives of Ministries are reviewed and debated in the British Columbia Legislature. This year the review of the Ministry of Energy and Mines budget included discussion of the Columbia River Treaty Read more
Follow the Columbia River Treaty Review on Twitter and Facebook
The Columbia River Treaty Review Twitter and Facebook page provide Basin residents with up-to-date information on the Treaty Review and, together with the blog, also provide Basin residents with an opportunity to share comments with each other and with the Province. Visit @CRTreaty on Twitter and Facebook.com/Columbia River Treaty Review.
Government of British Columbia Decision on the Future of the Columbia River Treaty
On March 13, 2014 the Honourable Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review, announced the release of the Government of British Columbia’s decision to continue the Columbia River Treaty and seek improvements within its existing framework. Read more
Continuing Basin Engagement - Columbia Basin Regional Advisory Committee
Community involvement in activities that affect the Columbia River Basin has been a long standing tradition for Columbia Basin residents. During Columbia River Treaty Review community engagement activities, Basin residents identified two areas of interest Read more
Question of the Month: May 2014
If climate change results in less water flowqing in the Columbia River, what are the Province's obligation under the Treaty regarding water flow to the U.S.?
During the November 2013 community meetings many people wanted to know more about the Province’s obligations under the Treaty to provide water at the U.S. border. Read more
Columbia River Treaty Review - what next?
Many people, quite understandably, want to know what will happen next now that the Province of British Columbia has released its decision on the future of the Treaty. The answer is: there is no defined process at this stage. Read more
Youth Engagement - Columbia River Treaty Classroom Project a Hit!
Many Basin residents attending Columbia River Treaty Review community consultation meetings urged the Treaty Review Team to engage youth in the Treaty review process. They suggested using Twitter and Facebook and engaging youth in the schools. Read more