Future of the Columbia River Treaty
A British Columbia Perspective
2014 PNWA Summer Conference
Coeur d’Alene
June 23, 2014
Kathy Eichenberger
B.C. Ministry of Energy and Mines
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Objectives
• Treaty overview
• BC’ s role
• Key elements of BC decision
• Next steps
Columbia River Treaty
• Significant flooding around the Columbia in 1948 and growing
US power demand after WWII led to the desire for a water
management agreement between Canada and the US
• Main objective: 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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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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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 (42 miles) for the reservoir
The Treaty continues indefinitely but
can be terminated with at least 10
years notice (earliest in Sept 2024)
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Treaty Power Provisions
• Canada operates 15.5 Maf for
optimum power generation in
Canada and US
• US delivers to Canada one-half
the estimated US power benefits
(Canadian Entitlement - CE)
• First 30 years of CE sold to a
consortium of US utilities for US
$254.4 M
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Treaty Flood Control Provisions prior to 2024
• The US bought 8.45 Maf of
primary flood control up to
2024 for US$ 64.4 M
• Regardless of Treaty
continuation or
termination, assured flood
control ends in 2024,
changes to “Called Upon”
• Called Upon not well
defined in the Treaty
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Ministry of Energy and Mines led CRT Review for BC
• Coordination of provincial ministries and federal
agencies
• Consultation with First Nations
• Engagement of Basin residents
and local governments
• Technical studies and discussion papers
• Recommendations to BC Cabinet for decision
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Current Benefits of the Treaty to the U.S.
• Prevents of significant floods, loss of life,
damage to property and infrastructure
• Increases power production
• Manages flows for fisheries enhancement, ESA
• Ensures relief during low flow periods and dry
years
• Provides seasonal availability of water supply
for irrigation, municipal, industrial uses
• Prolongs recreation season
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Current Benefits of the Treaty to the U.S.
Favorable Commercial Navigation Conditions
• Predictable minimum flows to prevent grounding
• late summer releases in Canada for U.S. power
• supplemented by increased flows during dry
years
• Limiting upper flows to prevent
• channel siltation and expensive dredging
• minimize transit delays due to high currents
• facilitates docking operations
• Minimizes impacts top navigation infrastructure
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Current Benefits of the Treaty to BC
Canadian Entitlement
 Sold on the market
 Currently worth 100-200M/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 in principles:
• 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
• 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
• Treaty should be adaptable to changing
conditions
• Treaty already has flexibility to incorporate
ecosystems - further improvements can be
explored
• Climate change will make collaboration even
more important
• BC is committed to continued engagement with
First Nations and the public
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Next Steps
• Conduct valuation of full suite of U.S. benefits
• Pursue further modeling of potential BC
ecosystem option(s)
• Collaborate with Canada on 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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Questions ?
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