Columbia River Treaty

Edition: February 2022

engage.gov.bc.ca/columbiarivertreaty

Feedback on Columbia River Treaty Agriculture Discussion Paper now available

Feb 14, 2022

Throughout the Province’s engagement on the Columbia River Treaty, Basin residents have spoken of agricultural losses sustained when valley bottoms were inundated after construction of the Treaty dams.  In response, the B.C. Columbia River Treaty Team has been exploring opportunities for enhancing support to the Basin agriculture sector, specifically related to impacts from the Treaty.

In June 2021, the B.C. Treaty Team published a discussion paper for public review and feedback that featured a comprehensive list of Basin agriculture interests, matched with existing or recently closed programs and initiatives that appeared to address those interests.  The question posed to the public was: are there remaining gaps in addressing agriculture interests and concerns, given available programs and initiatives?

The public comment period ran from June 18, 2021 to September 15, 2021. The B.C. Treaty Team also consulted with industry experts for their opinions regarding Columbia Basin agriculture challenges.

A report summarizing what was heard through this process is now available on the B.C. Columbia River Treaty website, as well as shared on Facebook and Twitter channels.

As a next step, the B.C. Treaty Team will share the input it received with provincial ministries and agencies responsible for specific areas of concern, and work together to explore opportunities for enhancing agriculture support.

The team appreciates those who have taken time to provide their feedback to date.  If you have further comments or would like to provide comments for the first time, please send them:

  1. by email to: columbiarivertreaty@gov.bc.ca
  2. by mail to: 
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation
Columbia River Treaty
PO Box 9314 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9N1

The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.