Columbia River Treaty
Past, Present and Future
Status of Columbia River Treaty Discussions:
a BC government perspective
October 7, 2015 Osoyoos, BC
Kathy Eichenberger
BC Ministry of Energy and Mines
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Why the Columbia River Treaty
Vanport Flood, 1948
production
1948 flood
• Destroyed Vanport pop 35,000
• 50 people killed
• Trail BC flooded
• Damaged homes, farms, and levees
from BC to Astoria
• Post-war era of industrialization
called for more power
production
Trail Flood, 1948
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Columbia River Treaty
 Founded on the key premise of two countries working
collaboratively to create and share benefits equitably
 Regarded worldwide as a model to emulate
 Main objective: optimize power and flood control in
both countries
 Treaty was signed in 1961 and ratified in 1964.
Diefenbaker and Eisenhower
signing the Treaty in 1961
Treaty and Protocol ratified
and proclaimed by Pearson
and Johnson in 1964
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Portland 1894
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Key Provisions of the
Columbia River Treaty
Canada to construct 3 dams to
provide 15.5M acre-feet of water
storage
 Duncan 1967
 Hugh Keenleyside 1968
 Mica 1973
US had the option to construct Libby
dam in Montana – Canada made
land available (67 km/42 mi) for
Koocanusa reservoir
 Changes to Treaty can be made at
any time upon agreement
Treaty continues indefinitely but can
be terminated with 10 year notice at
5
the earliest in Sept 2024
Treaty Provisions
 Canada operates 15.5 Maf for optimum
power generation downstream in Canada
and US
 US delivers to Canada one-half the
estimated incremental US power benefits
(Canadian Entitlement - CE)
 The first 30 years of CE were pre-sold for an
up front price of US$254.4 million
 The US bought 8.45 Maf of “primary” flood
control up to 2024 for $64.4 million
 Regardless of Treaty continuation or
termination, assured flood control ends in
2024 and flood control changes to “Called
Upon”
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BC Treaty Mandate
• Under Canadian Constitution:
• Federal treaty-making power
• Provincial jurisdiction of natural
resources, including hydroelectric development
• 1963 Canada/BC Agreement transferred most of the
Treaty obligations and benefits to BC
• BC Hydro is Canadian Entity to implement the Treaty
• Province of BC is the Canadian Entity for the disposal
of the Canadian Entitlement
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BC Treaty Review
• BC (MEM) leading the Columbia River Treaty
Review in Canada
• Coordination of provincial ministries and federal
agencies
• Technical studies (env/social/economic/legal)
• Consultation with First Nations
• Engagement of Basin residents
• Recommendations to BC Cabinet
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Benefits of the Treaty to the U.S.
• Prevents of damaging floods, loss of life,
property and infrastructure
• Increases power production potential
• Manages flows for fisheries enhancement, ESA
• Ensures relief during low flow periods and dry
years
• Provides seasonal availability water supply
irrigation, municipal, industrial uses
• Maintains commercial navigation conditions
• Prolongs recreation season
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Current Benefits of the Treaty to BC
Canadian Entitlement
 Sold on the market
 Currently worth:
approx. $ 130M/year
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Provincial Decision
• Released March 13, 2014
• Generally reflects input from
First Nations, local governments
and public
• Decision to continue the Treaty and seek
improvements within its existing framework
• 14 principles to guide BC in discussion of any
potential Treaty changes
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Provincial Decision - Principles
High level themes :
• Goal is to create and share benefits equitably
• There is a lot of value from upstream regulation
provided by Canada to a broad range of U.S.
interests
• Treaty operations continue
to impact Canadian basin
residents and regional interests
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Provincial Decision - Principles
• Treaty should be adaptable to changing
conditions
• Treaty has flexibility to incorporate ecosystems
and further improvements can be explored
• The reintroduction of salmon in the Upper
Columbia is not currently a Treaty issue
• If reintroduction is feasible each country should
be responsible for its own structures
13
Provincial Decision - Principles
• Changing flood control in 2024 is a step
backwards
• Risks and impacts of effective use of U.S.
reservoirs
• Disagreement on interpretation of Called Upon
Flood Control:
 at what flood risk
 which reservoirs
 when to call
• BC is open to discussing alternatives
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Provincial Decision - Principles
• Climate change will make collaboration even
more important
• Canadian operations will continue to meet
existing and evolving provincial and federal
regulatory requirements
• Improve Libby coordination to incorporate BC
interests
• BC is committed to continued engagement with
First Nations and the public through any
potential negotiations
15
Next Steps
• Conduct valuation of full suite of U.S. benefits
• Pursue further modeling of potential BC
ecosystem option(s)
• Continue to work with Canada on developing a
collaborative approach to any future
negotiations
• Gain a further understanding of U.S.
perspectives and next steps in U.S. process
• Explore options to increase benefits to both
countries
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Thank you
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