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:

1.       Increased dialogue with BC Hydro with respect to Columbia Basin hydroelectric operations; and

2.       Continued Provincial engagement with First Nations and communities throughout any future Columbia River Treaty negotiation process.

The Province’s Columbia River Treaty Review team is working with BC Hydro and the Columbia River Treaty Local Governments’ Committee on an engagement schedule and process for engaging with Basin residents, including the development of an advisory committee.  Terms of Reference for a Columbia Basin Regional Advisory Committee (CBRAC) have been finalized, and the Province is now seeking expressions for membership. A call for expressions of interest will be advertised shortly in local media throughout the Basin, likely at the beginning of June.  Information will be available on the Columbia River Treaty Review website, Facebook and Twitter: http://blog.gov.bc.ca/columbiarivertreaty/

It is expected that the committee will consist of 30-35 members from throughout the Basin, including First Nations, Local Governments and community citizens who collectively will bring forward key Basin interests. Members will be invited to take a broad perspective and contribute positively and constructively to discussions on Columbia Basin issues and concerns, in particular regarding the future of the Columbia River Treaty and, more generally, Columbia Basin hydroelectric operations.

To find out more about CBRAC and view the Terms of Reference click here.

To apply to be a member of CBRAC, please submit a one page expression of interest before 4pm PST June 27, 2014 explaining why you want to be part of the Committee and what you can bring to the Committee. Submissions can be made by email to columbiarivertreaty@gov.bc.ca, or by mail to:

Brooke McMurchy
Policy Advisor
Ministry of Energy and Mines
PO Box 9314 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9N1