The 19th round of negotiations toward a modernized Columbia River Treaty were held in Portland, Oregon, on Oct. 12 and 13.

During this round of talks, negotiators representing Canada and the United States made progress toward an agreement-in-principle on operational and other issues. The teams will continue to address compensation and bilateral treaty-ecosystem provisions in the coming weeks, reported the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.

“If an agreement-in-principle is reached, the province will engage with B.C. Columbia Basin residents and First Nations to explain what is being proposed and seek feedback,” the ministry explained.

“The B.C. government has been speaking with First Nations in the basin, local governments and the public since 2012 to learn what they want to see changed in a modernized treaty. That input has been informing Canadian negotiating positions and proposals.

“B.C. has committed that no modernized treaty will be finalized until the people of the Columbia Basin have been consulted.”

Lead image: Mica Dam north of Revelstoke.  e-KNOW file photo

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