Columbia River Treaty Update: U.S. Entity releases Draft Regional Recommendation 

 

This morning, the U.S. Entity released their Draft Regional Recommendation for the Columbia River Treaty. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Northwestern Division and the Bonneville Power Administration constitute the "U.S. Entity", which is evaluating the historic 1964 agreement between the United States and Canada for coordinated operation of the Columbia River basin. The Entity also released a cover letter explaining the process and approach for their analysis and draft conclusions. PNWA staff and members will review this latest release, and provide our thoughts shortly. The Entity will be accepting comment on this document through October 25th through the BPA website.  

 

Last Friday, September 13th, three PNWA navigation members and one PNWA staffer participated in an invitation-only briefing with a representative from the U.S. State Department, as well as reps from the U.S. Entity. This briefing also included representatives from regional irrigation and flood control interests. Separate briefings were conducted with regional utilities, which included several PNWA members. A final, public briefing was held in the afternoon. For a copy of PNWA's navigation comments as prepared, please contact staff.  

 

On Thursday, September 5th, representatives of PNWA's navigation membership had the opportunity to continue their dialogue with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and their contractors regarding analysis that is being performed related to the Columbia River Treaty. This is the third in a series of meetings that began in December 2012.  

 

PNWA submitted comment on the earlier "Working Draft of a Regional Recommendation" in mid-August, which you may view here. These comments include the navigation community's highest concerns with potential or proposed river system changes.  

 

For more information about PNWA's engagement on the Columbia River Treaty, please contact Kristin Meira.