The ninth round of Columbia River Treaty negotiations took place on March 11 and 12 in Washington, D.C.

British Columbia’s Minister Responsible for the Columbia River Treaty Katrine Conroy reported March 13 that challenging conversations were held.

“Since the process to revisit the Columbia River Treaty began, Canada and the United States have been exchanging information and building a stronger understanding of their respective priorities. The countries are engaged in challenging conversations around how to include those interests in an updated treaty.

“During this week’s talks in Washington, D.C., negotiators advanced their discussion of key interests, such as flood-risk management, power generation and ecosystem function,” Conroy said.

“The province is working closely with Global Affairs Canada and Columbia River Basin Indigenous Nations to ensure that what is best for Canada and B.C. will be at the forefront of a modernized Columbia River Treaty.

“I look forward to negotiators building on the progress made during round nine and continuing their discussions in the coming months.”

The next round of Columbia River Treaty negotiation meetings will be scheduled in the near future.

Consistent with the advice of B.C.’s provincial health officer, the B.C. public servants who participated in negotiations in Washington, D.C., will self-isolate for 14 days upon returning to Canada due to COVID-19 concerns.

Lead image: Lake Koocanusa, covering formerly prodigious valley bottom farm country along the Kootenay River, flooded after the creation of the dam at Libby, Montana.. e-KNOW file photo

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