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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 United States and Canada.
The Columbia River Treaty has no specified end date. Either Canada or the United States can unilaterally terminate most of the agreement provisions as early as September 16, 2024, provided they give at least 10 years’ notice. Read more
Spring Community Consultation Summary Online
In November 2011, the Province initiated a Columbia River Treaty Review process to evaluate future decision options of the Columbia River Treaty. The Columbia River Treaty Review process includes public engagement that ensures Basin residents’ interests, and the implications of Treaty options, are well understood and communicated, and that Basin residents have full opportunity to provide input and help inform the future of the Treaty.
The Provincial Columbia River Treaty Review team conducted workshops in seven communities in the Spring of 2012 as the first phase of consultation with Canadian Columbia River Basin residents around the future of the Columbia River Treaty. The Community Consultation Summary Report provides a composite picture of interests and values expressed by Basin residents with regards to the Columbia River Treaty. Read more
Communicating B.C.'s Perspective to U.S. Stakeholders
The Columbia River Treaty Review team was busy during August, September and October presenting information on the British Columbia (B.C.) Columbia River Treaty review process at several venues in the United States (U.S.).
On August 15th, in Seattle Washington, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council (http://www.nwcouncil.org) invited Treaty Review staff to participate in a panel on the Columbia River Treaty as part of the 2012 Congressional Staff Tour. Tour participants included Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington congressional staff from Washington D.C. covering fisheries, public affairs, legal and executive portfolios. B.C. provided an update on the Treaty review process, studies being conducted, public and First Nations consultation processes as well as some of B.C.’s preliminary perspectives on the Treaty. Representatives from Bonneville Power Administration, Columbia River Intertribal Fisheries Commission and Upper Columbia United Tribes also made presentations. Audience questions focused on how to balance the many interests in the Columbia Basin.
Read more
Treaty Review Question of the Month: What is the Libby Coordination Agreement?
Libby Coordination Agreement:
The Libby Coordination Agreement was signed on February 16, 2000 as an entity agreement under the Columbia River Treaty between the Canadian Entity (BC Hydro) and the U.S. Entity (Bonneville Power Administration and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). The Libby Coordination Agreement allows the U.S. Entity to operate Libby dam to meet U.S. fisheries laws and provides options for Canada to self-compensate for the resulting loss of power production.
Background:
Under the terms of the Columbia River Treaty, Canada permitted the U.S. to build the Libby Dam on the Kootenai River (U.S. spelling) in Montana. The dam was completed in 1973 and the reservoir, flooding approximately 70 kilometers into Canada, filled for the first time in 1974. Due to difference in spelling Kootenay (i) the reservoir was named Koocanusa for Kootenay (i), Canada and the USA. Under the Treaty, operation of Libby dam was to be coordinated with Canada. Operations of Libby Dam from 1973 through 1992 were managed to optimize power generation and flood control in the two countries.
Read more
Contact the Columbia River Treaty Review Team
Kathy Eichenberger, Executive Director (250) 953-3368 Kathy.Eichenberger@gov.bc.ca
Chris Trumpy, Economics (250) 952-6390 Chris.Trumpy@gov.bc.ca
Amy Avila, First Nations Consultation (250) 387-7614 Amy.Avila@gov.bc.ca
Ingrid Strauss, Public Consultation (250) 952-0640 Ingrid.Strauss@gov.bc.ca
Sandy King, Administration (250) 387-2820 Sandra.M.King@gov.bc.ca
Cailin Bain-Glenn, Co-op student Cailin.BainGlenn@gov.bc.ca
Be Heard at a November Consultation Workshop
You are invited to a Columbia River Treaty Review consultation workshop. Hear about future Treaty scenarios and find out how your interests may be affected. Your input will help shape the future of the Treaty.
JAFFRAY NOVEMBER 14 - Jaffray Hall
CRESTON NOVEMBER 15 - Creston & District Community Complex
REVELSTOKE NOVEMBER 20 - Revelstoke Community Centre
GOLDEN NOVEMBER 21- Golden Civic Centre
VALEMOUNT NOVEMBER 22- Valemount Visitor Centre
NELSON NOVEMBER 27 - Nelson & District Rod and Gun Club
TRAIL NOVEMBER 28 – Best Western Plus Columbia River Hotel
NAKUSP NOVEMBER 29 - Nakusp & District Sports Complex
Read more
Provide Your Feedback on the Environmental Discussion Paper
The first two chapters of the Environmental Discussion Paper will be posted on November 5 to the Columbia River Treaty Review website www.gov.bc.ca/columbiarivertreaty.
Each chapter addresses one of the following questions:
1. What are regional/local environmental interests and values related to the Canadian Columbia Basin and possibly affected by the Treaty?
2. What is currently being done to manage for environmental interests in the Canadian Columbia Basin?
Columbia Basin residents are encouraged to submit comments and feedback on the discussion paper directly to the website.
Study of Creston Area Dykes Nears Completion
During the Columbia River Treaty Review public consultation session in Creston on May 30, 2012, the Columbia River Treaty Review team became aware of the community’s concerns regarding the erosion of area dykes that protect important farmland and other values. Representatives of the dyking and regional districts expressed concern that implementation of Variable Flow Flood Control at Libby dam has resulted in increased bank erosion along the approximately 46 kilometer portion of the Kootenay River that runs from the Canadian/U.S. border downstream to Kootenay Lake, which in turn has impacted dyking infrastructure located immediately adjacent to the river.
The Columbia River Treaty Review Team has contracted BGC Engineering Inc. to undertake an evaluation of these concerns. BGC Engineering Inc. is analyzing data, including streamflow records, reviewing previous reports on bank erosion and is also contacting the US Army Corps of Engineers to establish whether dykes in Idaho have been similarly affected by Libby Dam flow releases. A report summarizing the data analysis and providing conclusions as to the impact of Libby Dam operation is expected to be completed and available to the public by mid-November, 2012. Read more
Visit Us on Facebook!
In almost every community during the May and June 2012 consultation sessions, residents urged the Columbia River Treaty Review team to use more social media to communicate with Columbia Basin residents. The Team responded with a blog, e-newsletter, Twitter - @CRTreaty - and now, finally, with Facebook.
The Columbia River Treaty Review Facebook page is another opportunity for Basin residents to share ideas about the future of the Columbia River Treaty with each other and with the Province. So come visit us on Facebook to comment on pictures, articles and studies or to start a discussion on important Columbia River Treaty issues. Visit Facebook.com/Columbia River Treaty Review.