Recent Media Coverage of the Columbia River Treaty
August 29, 2023 - Guest Column: Let's get the Columbia Treaty right - The Astorian
Negotiators representing federal, provincial and First Nation governments gathered recently in Seattle to continue efforts to modernize the Columbia River Treaty in an 18th round of negotiations. Further talks are expected in the months ahead. Much has changed since the original treaty was ratified in 1964, and negotiators have an opportunity now to hammer out an agreement reflecting today’s values and priorities, equipping this region — an area the size of France — to meet diverse challenges now rapidly approaching. Full article...
August 16, 2023 - Canada, U.S. wrap up 18th round of Columbia River Treaty modernization talks - Castlegar News
The latest round of Columbia River Treaty talks between Canada and the United States concluded last week as both sides continued efforts to modernize the decades-old agreement. Both delegations met in Seattle for the 18th round of negotiations on Aug. 10 and 11, as Canadian, American and Indigenous representatives focused on various aspects of a U.S. proposal delivered a few weeks ago, according to an update from the B.C. government. Full article...
August 15, 2023 - Columbia River Treaty talks move forward after constructive Seattle session - BC Government News
On Aug. 10 and 11, 2023, Canada and the United States held the 18th round of negotiations toward a modernized Columbia River Treaty. The U.S. delegation hosted the meeting in Seattle, welcoming the Canadian negotiating team, which included representatives of the governments of Canada and B.C., and the Ktunaxa, Secwepemc and Syilx Okanagan Nations. Negotiators discussed various aspects of the U.S. proposal that was delivered a few weeks earlier, with Canada continuing to advocate for increased domestic flexibility in treaty dam operations to enhance Indigenous cultural values, ecosystems and socioeconomic interests, updated flood control provisions and hydroelectric benefits. Also discussed was finding common ground on bilateral treaty ecosystem provisions and efforts to reintroduce salmon into the upper Columbia River. Full article...
August 14, 2023 - 18th Round of Negotiations to Modernize the Columbia River Treaty Regime and Announcement of Public Virtual Listening Session - U.S. Department of State
The United States and Canada conducted the 18th round of Columbia River Treaty regime negotiations on August 10-11 in Seattle, Washington. As committed by President Biden and Prime Minister Trudeau at the conclusion of the President’s March visit to Canada, the U.S. negotiation team has further accelerated negotiation efforts towards an agreement that meets the needs of the Columbia Basin with greater certainty and improved results. Full article...
August 11, 2023 - Canada, U.S. negotiate future of Columbia River in Seattle this week - The Seattle Times
A high-stakes negotiation between the U.S. and Canadian governments is underway in Seattle this week over the future management of the Columbia River. For 60 years, the Columbia River Treaty has guided how water from British Columbia flows downstream in Washington and Oregon, for flood control and hydropower. Parts of that agreement expire next year. And this week’s negotiations may be the best shot yet to hammer out a deal. Full article...
August 10, 2023 -No relief for low water levels on Arrow Lakes: B.C. Hydro - Vancouver Sun
Columbia River Treaty terms mean taps must remain open to U.S.
People using the Arrow Lakes for swimming, boating and fishing this summer will have to put up with lower-than-normal water levels for the rest of the season, say B.C. Hydro officials. “The current levels are due to a combination of severe drought conditions in the Columbia, low precipitation since last fall, and early depletion of the snowpack, contributing to the difficulty in the operational challenges we see,” said Gillian Kong, the principal engineer in charge of operating the dam-and-reservoir system that snakes its way through the Kootenays. Full article...
August 9, 2023 - Modernize Columbia River Treaty to meet challenges ahead - The Seattle Times
Negotiators representing federal, provincial and First Nation governments will gather this week in Seattle to continue efforts to modernize the Columbia River Treaty in the 18th round of negotiations. Much has changed since the 1964 treaty ratification. Negotiators have an opportunity to hammer out an agreement reflecting today’s values and priorities, equipping the drainage basin — which is the size of France — to meet diverse challenges. Full article...
June 8, 2023 - Agreements address Columbia River Treaty impacts on Indigenous Nations - British Columbia News
The Ktunaxa, Secwépemc and Syilx Okanagan Nations and their members will benefit from new interim agreements that share revenue generated from the Columbia River Treaty. Through the three separate interim agreements, the Ktunaxa Nation, Secwépemc Nation and Syilx Okanagan Nation will each receive 5% of the revenue generated through the sale of Canada's share of downstream power benefits under the treaty, otherwise known as the Canadian Entitlement. The proposed interim agreements will share this revenue over four years. Full article...
June 8, 2023 - B.C. First Nations sign Columbia River Treaty revenue-sharing agreements with province - Global News
Three First Nations in B.C.’s Interior will now financially benefit from the Columbia River Treaty, the province announced on Thursday. The Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation says through three separate agreements, the Ktunaxa, Secwépemc and Syilx Okanagan nations will each receive five per cent of revenue generated through the sale of downstream power benefits. The ministry says the proposed interim revenue-sharing agreements will last for four years. Full article...
May 19, 2023 - Virtual Listening Session following the 17th Round of Negotiations to Modernize the Columbia River Treaty Regime - U.S. Department of State
The United States and Canada conducted the 17th round of Columbia River Treaty regime negotiations from May 16-17 in Kelowna, BC. In this latest negotiating session, the two delegations discussed managing the following issues: flood risks after the Treaty regime changes in September 2024, planning for Treaty hydropower operations, integrating Canada’s desire for greater flexibility to Treaty dam operations, mechanisms for incorporating Tribal and Indigenous input into Treaty operations, and opportunities to strengthen Treaty ecosystem provisions and collaborate on ongoing salmon reintroduction studies. Full article...
May 19, 2023 - Columbia River Treaty talks continue between Canada, U.S. - Global News
The Central Okanagan played host to the latest round in Columbia River Treaty talks between Canada and the United States. The two-day meeting took place in Kelowna, May 16-17, with negotiating teams discussing how to modernize the treaty. Discussions on updating the treaty began in May 2018, and this week’s talks were the 17th round of negotiations. Full article...
May 19, 2023 - Columbia River Treaty negotiators meet in Kelowna as talks continue - British Columbia News
Negotiating teams for Canada and the United States met in Kelowna for the 17th round of negotiations toward a modernized Columbia River Treaty. During the two-day session from May 16-17, 2023, the delegations advanced discussions about a range of key topics: hydropower operation planning; integrating Canada’s desire for greater flexibility into treaty dam operations; incorporating input from Indigenous Nations and U.S. Tribes into treaty operations; opportunities to enhance ecosystem health and collaborate on ongoing salmon reintroduction studies; and flood-risk management in the U.S. after the treaty regime changes in September 2024 from the current assured flood-control regime to the more ad-hoc called-upon regime. Full article...
May 11, 2023 - Opinion: Without a modernized Columbia River Treaty we’ll fail to meet 21st-century challenges - Columbia Insight
As an agreement with Canada nears, we have a rare opportunity to improve a badly outdated treaty. President Biden can help right now. Last month, the U.S. government held a listening session on the Columbia River Treaty, a 60-year-old agreement that shapes how the United States and Canada share and co-manage the international Columbia River Basin. The two countries have spent the last five years in active negotiations over the treaty’s future and have settled on “modernized” as the defining description for what they are working toward. Full article...
April 20, 2023 - As Expiration Date Nears, U.S., Canada Pushing To Finish Columbia River Treaty Negotiations By June; Uncertainty Over Future Operations A Motivator - The Columbia Basin Bulletin
Lead U.S. government negotiators vowed to intensify their work to conclude a new Columbia River Treaty with Canada by early summer as they held a public listening session this week. The two countries have been in negotiations for over four years and a new agreement to upgrade or modernize the Treaty must be reached by the end of summer 2024. Full article (paywall)...
April 19, 2023 - Columbia River Treaty negotiations could conclude by June - Capital Press
The U.S. and Canada could conclude negotiations to modernize the Columbia River Treaty by June, the lead U.S. negotiator says.
"Resolving the remaining sticking points by June is ambitious, but the United States believes it is achievable," U.S. State Department negotiator Jill Smail said. "We have made significant progress. Although we still have tough issues to work through, we believe the uncertainty facing both countries in 2024 will continue to motivate both countries' teams to reach timely agreement." Full article...
April 2023 - 'Modernizing the Columbia River Treaty': U.S. State Department holds Listening Session as negotiations with Canada accelerate - Save Our wild Salmon
“The Columbia River Treaty between the United States and Canada has been a hybrid of fears and profits since its ratification in 1964…” So wrote Paul Lumley, Yakama Nation citizen and then Executive Director of the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, in the Oregonian almost exactly ten years ago. Full article...
March 29, 2023 - Biden, Trudeau pledge action on Columbia River Treaty, water quality concerns - The Free Press
Another round of negotiations over the Columbia River Treaty have wrapped up in Washington, D.C., as delegations with Canada and the U.S. met for the 16th time to discuss modernizing the water sharing agreement. The latest talks focused on strengthening co-operation to support aquatic life and biodiversity in the Columbia River Basin, ongoing studies regarding salmon reintroduction, flood-risk management and greater flexibility for how treaty dams are operated, according to an update from the province. Full article...
March 28, 2023 - Canada, U.S. meet for 16th round of Columbia River Treaty negotiations - Government of British Columbia
The 16th round of Canada-U.S. negotiations to modernize the Columbia River Treaty took place on March 22 and 23, in Washington, D.C. During this latest session, conversations between Canadian and American negotiators focused on strengthening co-operation to support aquatic life and biodiversity in the Columbia River Basin, ongoing studies regarding salmon reintroduction, flood-risk management, and the connection between hydropower operations and Canada’s desire for greater flexibility in how its treaty dams are operated. Full article...
March 27, 2023 - Virtual Listening Session following the 16th Round of Negotiations to Modernize the Columbia River Treaty Regime - U.S. Department of State
The United States and Canada conducted the 16th round of Columbia River Treaty regime negotiations from March 22–23 in Washington, D.C. As President Biden and Prime Minister Trudeau affirmed on March 24, “the Columbia River is a vital shared resource that underpins many lives and industries on both sides of the border and the watershed requires our attention and prompt coordination.” In this latest negotiating session, the two delegations discussed managing flood risks after the Treaty regime changes in September 2024, strengthening cooperation to support aquatic life and the biodiversity of the Columbia River Basin, ongoing salmon reintroduction studies, and the interface between hydropower operations and Canada’s desire for greater flexibility in Treaty dam operations. Full article...
March 26, 2023 - Aging Columbia River Treaty with Canada is out of date. Here’s what’s at stake - Tri-City Herald
TThe United States and Canada will intensify their work over the coming months toward a modernized Columbia River Treaty. U.S. President Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement Friday as Biden visited Canada. “We will focus on flood risk management, power generation and environmental benefits that are shared equitably by both countries and the Indigenous peoples and tribal nations, communities and stakeholders in this watershed,” they said in a joint statement. Full article...
March 23, 2023 - Entire Pacific Northwest Congressional Delegation Urges President Biden to Prioritize Modernization of Columbia River Treaty - Maria Cantwell U.S. Senator for Washington
Today, Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R, WA-05) and member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Kim Schrier, M.D. (D, WA-08), joined by every single member of Congress from Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana, sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking him to help expedite a final agreement between the U.S. and Canada to modernize and strengthen the Columbia River Treaty. Full article...
February 3, 2023 - Columbia River Treaty renewal won’t just go with the flow: Salmon, environment, First Nation interests on the table - Vancouver Sun
Canadian and U.S. negotiators addressing far more complex issues than in the first agreement, created nearly six decades ago, that covers a drainage area the size of France. Flood control measures are set to expire next year in the Columbia River Treaty, an international agreement that governs the flow of water between B.C. and half a dozen U.S. states. Beginning in earnest in 2018, Canada started work to hammer out a new treaty with the U.S. that would go beyond flood management and hydro-power sharing covered by the existing deal to include the environment, First Nations interests and salmon. Full article...
January 27, 2023 - Conclusion of Round 15 of Negotiations to Modernize the Columbia River Treaty Regime - U.S. Department of State
The United States and Canada conducted the 15th round of Columbia River Treaty regime negotiations on January 25 and 26, 2023, in Vancouver, British Columbia. The two countries focused on flood risk management, hydropower coordination, ecosystem cooperation, and increased Canadian operational flexibility. The United States and Canada are working together to address outstanding issues to achieve an agreement in principle on a modernized regime that will protect and advance the livelihoods of the people of the Columbia River Basin and the region’s vital ecosystems. Full article...
January 21, 2023 - Kootenay River ‘interests’ to take centre stage in upcoming Columbia River Treaty talks - The Nelson Daily
The plight and height of the Kootenay River will be the current of conversation when the Columbia River Treaty talks go virtual early next month. A virtual information session is slated for Feb. 2 — with another on Jan. 30 on the Columbia River — to provide details and answer questions about the process, with the focus on Kootenay River “interests.” Full article...
December 17, 2022 - A busy year for Columbia River Treaty negotiations - e-know.ca
TBy Katrine Conroy - Op-Ed Commentary - On Dec. 7, I was sworn in as B.C.’s new Minister of Finance. I was also honoured to retain my role as minister responsible for the Columbia Basin Trust, Columbia Power Corporation and the Columbia River Treaty. As 2022 comes to a close, it’s worth reflecting on this year’s progress towards a modernized Columbia River Treaty. This year, Canada and the U.S. held three rounds of negotiations and a series of technical meetings, leading to the most promising advancements since discussions about the treaty’s future began in 2018. Full article...
October 6, 2022 - Conclusion of Round 14 of Negotiations to Modernize the Columbia River Treaty Regime - U.S. Department of State
The United States hosted the 14th round of negotiations with the Government of Canada to modernize the Columbia River Treaty regime in Spokane, Washington October 4-5. As a result of our discussions, we have been able to find common ground on aspects of flood risk management, hydropower coordination, ecosystem cooperation, and increased Canadian operational flexibility. We will continue to work to address outstanding issues in these areas the coming months. Full article...
October 6, 2022 - Minister’s statement on 14th round of Columbia River Treaty negotiations - British Columbia Government
Katrine Conroy, Minister Responsible for the Columbia River Treaty, has issued the following statement: “During this week’s round of Columbia River Treaty negotiations, Canada and the United States have been able to find common ground on some aspects of ecosystem co-operation, increased flexibility for how Canada operates its treaty dams, hydropower co-ordination and flood-risk management. The Canadian delegation, which includes the Government of Canada, the Province of B.C. and the Ktunaxa, Secwepemc and Syilx Okanagan Nations, will continue to focus on outstanding issues in these areas over the coming months to address Columbia Basin interests. Full article...
October 6, 2022 - Columbia River Treaty modernization concludes 14th round of negotiations - Castlegar News
The 14th round of talks to modernize the Columbia River Treaty were held in Spokane earlier this week and concluded with an Indigenous-led workshop on ecosystem and tribal cultural values. In a statement, Katrine Conroy, the BC minister responsible for the negotiations, said all sides were able to come to mutual understanding on some of the terms up for renegotiation. Full article...
October 5, 2022 - Salmon advocates ask to include healthy ecosystems in Columbia River Treaty - NW News Network
Salmon advocates want negotiators to consider salmon and the Columbia River’s ecosystem as a part of an agreement between the U.S. and Canada.
The agreement, known as the Columbia River Treaty, is around 60 years old. It coordinates flood control and hydropower along the Columbia River. During renegotiations, the United States has asked to modernize the treaty, including considerations for climate change. Full article...
October 4, 2022 - An old treaty with Canada costs Tacoma Power customers money. It’s time for a new deal - The News Tribune
The Columbia River Treaty was created 58 years ago to ensure the mutual development of the Columbia River for flood control and related coordinated power systems in the U.S. and Canada. But it’s time to revisit the provisions of the treaty, which cost Tacoma Power and other Northwest utility customers more for their electricity. Full article...
September 29, 2022 - What’s at stake if the Columbia River Treaty were to end - OPB
Barb Cosens is a member of the Universities Consortium on Columbia River Governance and a university distinguished professor emerita at the University of Idaho College of Law. She joins us to share why this treaty was enacted, what options exist as we approach the 2024 deadline and what’s at stake if agreements to extend the treaty can’t be made. Full article...
September 22, 2022 - Pacific Northwest Groups Urge Action On Modernizing Columbia River Treaty, Concerned About Uncertainties of ‘Called-Upon’ Operations - The Columbia Basin Bulletin (paywall)
Nearly three-dozen Pacific Northwest organizations have sent a letter to the State Department and other federal agencies urging the Biden Administration to better inform the region on efforts to overhaul the 1964 U.S.-Canada Columbia River Treaty, add “ecosystem function” as a treaty purpose, and include Columbia River basin Tribes in treaty governance. The letter also expresses concerns about potential “called-upon” river operations if the treaty is not modernized by 2024. Full article...
September 19, 2022 - Environmental groups urge update of Columbia River Treaty - Capital Press
Pacific Northwest groups representing conservation, clean energy, wildlife, fish and other interests are urging U.S. officials to modernize the Columbia River Treaty to avoid what they describe as an ecosystem collapse. Full article...
August 16, 2022 - Latest round of talks conclude over Columbia River Treaty negotiations - Castlegar News
Another round of Columbia River Treaty talks has concluded between Canada and the United States, as efforts continue to modernize a decades-old water sharing agreement between the two countries. Full article...
June 22, 2022 - Indigenous-led ecosystem studies a key element of Columbia River Treaty talks - Creston Valley Advance
While the Columbia River Treaty was borne out of a flood control and power generation agreement, the negotiations for the modernization of the international water-sharing agreement have included a third principle of ecosystem function. Full article...
June 16, 2022 - DeFazio-Led Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act Passes House - The Bandon Western World
The bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA 2022), legislation led by Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio, passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 384 to 37. Full article...
May 27, 2022 - Columbia River Treaty modernization talks remain ongoing - Arrow Lakes News
Canada and the United States continue to negotiate the modernization of the Columbia River Treaty, as delegations with both sides have met informally four times this spring to advance the discussions. Full article...
May 19, 2022 - Public info session being held to update Columbia River Treaty talks - e-know.ca
Over 200 people participated from across the Columbia Basin in last Monday’s Columbia River Treaty Information Session, ‘Canada-U.S. Negotiations: Where We Are and What’s to Come.’ Full article..
April 28, 2022 - Public info session being held to update Columbia River Treaty talks - Castlegar News
Members with the Canadian delegation involved in the Columbia River Treaty negotiations will be participating in a virtual public information session to provide updates on the status of the talks and field any questions from participants. Full article...
March 27, 2022 - Treaty talks for assured flood control have impacts in Nelson and area: province - The Nelson Daily
Time may be expiring on the Columbia River Treaty but a stream of issues to continue workability between Canada and the U.S. won’t be water under the bridge just yet. Sixty years of Assured Flood Control is set to expire in 2024 but the two countries have been in talks to modernize the historical transboundary agreement since May 2018, covering a range of topics over the course of 10 rounds of meetings. Full article...
July 30, 2021 - Canada given top marks for Columbia River Treaty public engagement - Nelson Star
The way Canada has engaged with its public on the Columbia River Treaty is getting high praise from a group of American-based environmental and citizen groups. Full article..
August 28, 2020 - OPINION: As Columbia River Treaty negotiators get serious, residents need to speak up - Nelson Star
Early this summer, Canada and the United States met for the 10th round of Columbia River Treaty renegotiations. The negotiations were held by web-conference due to COVID-19. Unlike previous rounds, negotiators actually started debating specific proposals. Full article..
July 2, 2020 - How (and why) to fix the U.S.-Canada Columbia River Treaty - Columbia INSIGHT
On June 30, the U.S. State Department and government of British Columbia issued a pair of surprising press releases regarding the latest round of Columbia River Treaty negotiations. The brief statements were surprising because few people even knew the tenth round of treaty negotiations, held June 29-30 via web conference, had even taken place. Full article..
July 5, 2019 - Renegotiating the Columbia River Treaty, six decades later - High Country News
How will bolstered support for tribal sovereignty and the environment change the U.S.-Canada agreement? Full article..
June 27, 2019 - Tribes that rely on Columbia River being left out of talks between U.S. and Canada. Why? - Crosscut
The U.S. and Canada are renegotiating a 60-year-old treaty that dictates usage rights for the river. Environmentalists and indigenous groups, meanwhile, would like to see more water flow through the Columbia to support healthier fish stocks, a goal that might be achieved if so-called “ecosystem-based function” is added as a pillar of the modernized treaty. Full article..
May 20, 2019 - U.S. must follow Canada and invite tribes into Columbia River Treaty negotiation - Seattle Times
Since 1964, the Columbia River Treaty has played a key role in governing river flows and management priorities in the trans-boundary Columbia River Basin. Since last May, the U.S. and Canada have been negotiating a new deal for the treaty, which will help direct the basin’s future. The discussion surrounding this negotiation and who gets to participate reveals what has changed in the past 55 years — and what remains the same. Full article..
April 12, 2019 - U.S. and Canada continue to talk Columbia River Treaty - Nelson Star
Katrine Conroy says flood risk and hydro power were topics of discussion. The B.C’s minister responsible for the Columbia River Treaty says Canadian and American negotiators exchanged ideas on flood risk and hydropower during this week’s meetings in Victoria. Full article..
