The Columbia River Treaty Review Team worked with the residents of Fauquier to develop and deliver an all day workshop on aspects of the Columbia River Treaty Review. Approximately seventy-five people attended the June 15, 2013 workshop, many from outside the Burton-Fauquier-Edgewood area.

The workshop began with a presentation by George Penfold, former Selkirk College Regional Innovation Chair of Rural Economic Development, entitled Review of the Range of Impacts and Benefits of the Columbia River Treaty on Basin Communities, the Region and the Province. Richard Paisley, UBC’s Director, Global Transboundary International Waters Research Initiative, followed with a talk about water governance, using examples from throughout the world. Paisley also touched on issues, such as NAFTA and climate change, that potentially affect transboundary water management.

An update on the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program was provided by Trevor Oussoren, the Program Manager for the Columbia Region. Oussoren talked about 2013/14 projects, updates on local projects (including fisheries trends), dam impact assessment overview, current strategic plans, and how to apply for project funding. Kathy Eichenberger, Executive Director of the Columbia River Treaty Review at the Ministry of Energy and Mines provided an overview of the fall 2013 strategic decision and the results of modelling work being undertaken by BC Hydro. This body of work is aimed at helping the Province and Basin residents understand the implications of the two key scenarios - Treaty Continue or Treaty Terminate. Alan Thomson of Mountain Station Consultants ended the day’s presentations with an overview of the Arrow Lakes area, regional aspects of the Columbia River Treaty and his analysis of Arrow Lakes Reservoir options after 2024.

Following the presentation was a two hour panel question and answer session. The panel included all the presenters along with Heather Mathews, BC Hydro Project Manager for the Columbia River Treaty Review. The June 15 workshop presentations are available on the Province’s Columbia River Treaty Review website [link: blog.gov.bc.ca/columbiarivertreaty/community-sessions/]. A summary report will be available soon.