A Modernized Columbia River Treaty

A collaborative of Canadian environmental groups congratulates negotiators from Canada, British Columbia, and the Ktunaxa, Secwépemc, and Syilx Okanagan Nations, as well as the United States, on reaching an agreement-in-principle (AIP) for a modernized Columbia River Treaty. While the agreement-in-principle is just the beginning of the process to finalize — and then ultimately implement— a modernized treaty, this is an important step forward.

Since 1964, the treaty has managed hydropower production and flood control operations along the river – a waterway crucial to both countries’ economies. The two nations began negotiations in 2018 to update the agreement to address changing needs.

“The negotiated AIP provides a solid opportunity for improving ecosystem function within the Upper Columbia Basin,” said Greg Utzig, Technical Advisor to the Upper Columbia Basin Environmental Collaborative (UCBEC). “As the renewed treaty is finalized, and changes are implemented, the task ahead will be to ensure that the flexibility provided by the AIP is meaningfully utilized for tangible and resilient ecosystem health improvements. We still need to see Columbia Basin ecosystems placed on an equal footing with power production and flood control.”

The Columbia River Treaty authorized the construction of four dams, flooding an area roughly three times the size of Kootenay Lake (approx. 120,000 hectares), destroying ecosystems and displacing thousands of human residents.

“The agreement-in-principle marks a significant milestone towards reaching a treaty which recognizes a broader range of voices and values than previously. We applaud the efforts of all involved with the negotiations to date. We look forward to the release of further details and hope that the ongoing negotiations will lead to improved protection for freshwater ecosystems in the Columbia Basin,” Kat Hartwig, Living Lakes Canada Executive Director.

“Previously the treaty focused on maximizing flood control and hydropower in the United States. We are pleased to see the draft includes flexibility for Canadian unilateral management of up to 5 million acre- feet (MAF), nearly one-third of total water storage under the treaty,” said Martin Carver, UCBEC Lead and Facilitator.

The BC government has committed to an extensive public engagement process on the draft AIP before the treaty is finalized.

“For years, Wildsight has worked hard in collaboration with many partners to educate people in our region, especially youth, about the legacy of the Columbia River Treaty and the opportunities present in the complex treaty modernization process. We commend provincial, Indigenous, and federal governments in Canada for working proactively and sincerely with local people as we move towards the watershed’s next chapter,” said Graeme Lee Rowlands, Wildsight’s Director of Water and Climate.

UCBEC will continue to advocate for improved ecosystem function through the coming public engagement process and encourages all Basin residents to actively participate to maximize benefits to the Columbia Basin.

About: The Upper Columbia Basin Environmental Collaborative (UCBEC) is a collaboration of a cross-section of environmental voices from the Upper Columbia Basin (UCB) representing provincial, regional and local environmental groups. Members include BC Nature, Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society, Living Lakes Canada, Wildsight, and the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative with numerous other groups also pledging their support. In total, these groups represent more than 25,000 supporters, most of whom are residents of the Canadian Columbia River Basin.