Columbia River Treaty Negotiators Meet In Kelowna; Discuss Salmon Reintroduction, Flood-Risk Management

Negotiating teams for Canada and the United States met in Kelowna, British Columbia for the 17th round of negotiations toward a modernized Columbia River Treaty.

During the two-day session from May 16-17, 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.

Following the negotiation sessions, the Canadian and U.S. delegations toured the kł cp̓əlk̓ stim hatchery near Penticton and took part in a sockeye salmon release ceremony hosted by the Syilx Okanagan Nation. Representatives of the Syilx Okanagan, Ktunaxa and Secwepemc Nations are part of the Canadian negotiation delegation, along with the Government of Canada and the Province of B.C.

These events gave both teams the chance to learn about efforts being led by the Okanagan Nation Alliance and U.S. Tribes to restore the historical range and abundance of sockeye salmon in the upper Okanagan watershed, Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake systems.

Canadian negotiators said they believe this work is a prime example of what can be achieved through close transboundary collaboration and feel that such cross-border partnerships are critical to addressing ecosystem, economic and flood-risk management issues as the treaty modernization process moves forward.

For background, see:

–CBB, 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

–CBB, Dec. 21, 2022, GUEST COLUMN: B.C. MINISTER REFLECTS ON BUSY YEAR FOR COLUMBIA RIVER TREATY NEGOTIATIONS, https://cbbulletin.com/guest-column-b-c-minister-reflects-on-busy-year-for-columbia-river-treaty-negotiations/

–CBB, Sept. 22, 2022, PACIFIC NORTHWEST GROUPS URGE ACTION ON MODERNIZING COLUMBIA RIVER TREATY, CONCERNED ABOUT UNCERTAINTIES OF ‘CALLED-UPON’ OPERATIONS, https://cbbulletin.com/pacific-northwest-groups-urge-action-on-modernizing-columbia-river-treaty-concerned-about-uncertainties-of-called-upon-operations/

–CBB, June 30, 2021, NW LAWMAKERS SEND LETTER TO BIDEN URGING ‘WHITE HOUSE LED STRATEGY’ ON COLUMBIA RIVER TREATY, SEEK REDUCING ‘CANADIAN ENTITLEMENT’; CONSERVATIONISTS’ LETTER STRESSES ‘HEALTH OF THE RIVER’ https://cbbulletin.com/nw-lawmakers-send-letter-to-biden-urging-white-house-led-strategy-on-columbia-river-treaty-seek-reducing-canadian-entitlement-conservationists-letter-str/

— CBB, Dec. 31, 2020, COLUMBIA RIVER TREATY UPDATE: CONROY RETURNS AS B.C. MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR TREATY, PNW REPS. INTRODUCE TERMINATION NOTICE RESOLUTION, https://www.www.www.cbbulletin.com/columbia-river-treaty-update-conroy-returns-as-b-c-minister-responsible-for-treaty-pnw-reps-introduce-termination-notice-resolution/

— CBB, August 6, 2020, MODERNIZING COLUMBIA RIVER TREATY: B.C. REPORT ON COMMUNITY MEETINGS SAYS THIS TIME BASIN RESIDENTS, INDIGENOUS NATIONS WILL BE ‘MEANINGFULLY CONSULTED’ https://www.www.www.cbbulletin.com/modernizing-columbia-river-treaty-b-c-report-on-community-meetings-says-this-time-basin-residents-indigenous-nations-will-be-meaningfully-consulted/

— CBB, Dec. 18, 2019, CONCERNS ABOUT COLUMBIA RIVER TREATY NEGOTIATIONS AIRED AT TRI-CITIES TOWN HALL; UTILITIES WANT REDUCED ‘CANADIAN ENTITLEMENT’ https://www.www.www.cbbulletin.com/concerns-about-columbia-river-treaty-negotiations-aired-at-tri-cities-town-hall-utilities-want-reduced-canadian-entitlement/

— CBB, July 19, 2019, COLUMBIA RIVER TREATY TOWN HALL HEARS IDAHO VIEWS ON NEGOTIATING, MODERNIZING TREATY, https://www.www.www.cbbulletin.com/columbia-river-treaty-town-hall-hears-idaho-views-on-negotiating-modernizing-treaty/

— CBB, March 8, 2019, FIFTH ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS AIMED AT MODERNIZING U.S./CANADA COLUMBIA RIVER TREATY CONCLUDES, https://www.www.www.cbbulletin.com/fifth-round-of-negotiations-aimed-at-modernizing-u-s-canada-columbia-river-treaty-concludes/

— CBB, Oct. 26, 2018, “Lead Diplomat For U.S. Sizes Up Ongoing Columbia River Treaty Negotiations,” https://www.www.www.cbbulletin.com/441718.aspx

— CBB, Sept. 14, 2018, “Lead U.S. Negotiators For New Columbia River Treaty Hold Portland Town Hall” https://www.www.www.cbbulletin.com/441485.aspx

–CBB, July 27, 2018, “Columbia River Treaty Negotiators Hear Views In Spokane Forum From Both Sides Of Border,” https://www.www.www.cbbulletin.com/441189.aspx

— CBB, April 27, 2018, “State Department Holds Town Hall On Negotiations With Canada For Modernized Columbia River Treaty” https://www.www.www.cbbulletin.com/440608.aspx

— CBB, Dec. 8, 2017, “U.S. – Canada Columbia River Treaty Negotiations Expected To Begin In Early 2018” https://www.www.www.cbbulletin.com/439924.aspx

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