Greening the Columbia River Treaty: Alternative Approaches

Background to the Columbia River Treaty The Columbia River runs from the headwaters in Columbia Lake, British Columbia to the Pacific Coast of Oregon and is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest. [...] 4 the inclusion of ecosystem-based function as a third objective of the Columbia River Treaty; the involvement of tribes and First Nations as sovereigns in the ongoing negotiation, decision-making, and administration of the Treaty; more opportunities for public participation; and adaptive management to continuously revise and update the operation of the dams and 12 reservoirs. [...] The Coalition notes that the Columbia River Treaty is antiquated and 14 “unable to address the needs and rights of the peoples of the Columbia Basin.” The Coalition calls for the modernization of the Treaty by incorporating ecosystem-based function as well as 15 adaptive management in a way that ensures respect for tribal rights. [...] Purpose of this Paper Given the dissatisfaction with the existing Columbia River Treaty and the opportunity presented by the ongoing Columbia River Treaty renegotiation process, individuals and organizations are exploring the possibility of making changes both within and outside the structure of the Columbia River Treaty. [...] The Convention additionally obligates the Contracting States to report periodically to the Lake Tanganyika Authority on certain measures relevant to the environmental management of the Lake Basin and the implementation of the Convention.