U.S. Columbia River Treaty Negotiator Jill Smail will lead a town hall on December 16 in Richland, Washington, on the modernization of the Columbia River Treaty regime.
The town hall, co-hosted with the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, will be at the U.S. Federal Building Auditorium, 825 Jadwin Ave., from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
At the town hall, U.S. government representatives will provide an overview of the negotiations and take questions from the public.
The Columbia River Treaty is considered an international model for transboundary water cooperation.
“The 1964 treaty’s flood risk and hydropower operations have provided substantial benefits to millions of people on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border. The treaty has also facilitated support for the river’s ecosystem,” said the State Department in a press release.
As the United States continues bilateral negotiations with Canada, the U.S. Entity Regional Recommendation for the Future of the Columbia River Treaty after 2024, a consensus document published in 2013 after five years of consultations among the Tribes, states, stakeholders, public, and federal agencies, continues to serve as a guide.
The U.S. negotiating team is led by the U.S. Department of State and comprises the Bonneville Power Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division, the Department of the Interior, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
To receive periodic updates on events and developments related to the modernization of the Columbia River Treaty regime, contact [email protected].
To dial-in to the Town Hall on December 16, call 1-800-356-8278, and input code 390467.
Attendees are advised to bring government-issued photo ID and to allow time for security screening to enter the federal building.
Feel free to send questions in advance to [email protected]. For more information on the town hall, including call-in details, please see the Department of State’s Treaty website, which we will update as the meeting date approaches.
For background since 2013 see:
— CBB, July 19, 2019, COLUMBIA RIVER TREATY TOWN HALL HEARS IDAHO VIEWS ON NEGOTIATING, MODERNIZING TREATY https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/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.columbiabasinbulletin.org/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.columbiabasinbulletin.org/441718.aspx
— CBB, Sept. 14, 2018, “Lead U.S. Negotiators For New Columbia River Treaty Hold Portland Town Hall” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/441485.aspx
–CBB, July 27, 2018, “Columbia River Treaty Negotiators Hear Views In Spokane Forum From Both Sides Of Border,” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/441189.aspx
— CBB, April 27, 2018, “State Department Holds Town Hall On Negotiations With Canada For Modernized Columbia River Treaty” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/440608.aspx
— CBB, Dec. 8, 2017, “U.S. – Canada Columbia River Treaty Negotiations Expected To Begin In Early 2018” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/439924.aspx
— CBB, Oct. 27, 2017, “U.S. State Department Picks New Columbia River Treaty Negotiator” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/439784.aspx
— CBB, June 24, 2016, “Cantwell, Canadian Ambassador Meet To Discuss Columbia River Treaty Ahead Of North American Summit” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/436994.aspx
— CBB, March 18, 2016, “Cantwell Secures Commitment From Canadian Prime Minister To Move Forward With Columbia River Treaty” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/436251.aspx
— CBB, March 11, 2016, “Cantwell Urges Canadian Prime Minister To Start Talks On Columbia River Treaty; Murray Quizzes Moniz” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/436203.aspx
— CBB, Feb. 12, 2016, “Cross-Border Coalition Urges Collaboration In Modernizing U.S.-Canada Columbia River Treaty” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/436053.aspx
— CBB, June 12, 2015, “State Department: Columbia River Treaty Negotiating Position To Include ‘Ecosystem-Based Function,” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/434234.aspx
— CBB, April 17, 2015, “NW Congressional Delegation Urges Obama To Initiate Negotiations On Columbia River Treaty,” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/433725.aspx
— CBB, Sept. 19, 2014, “Columbia River Treaty Reaches Age 50 This Week; British Columbia, U.S. Considering Future Options” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/432128.aspx
— CBB, March 21, 2014, “British Columbia Announces Decision To Continue Columbia River Treaty While Seeking ‘Improvements,’” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/430094.aspx
— CBB, Feb. 28, 2014 “15 Basin Tribes, Canadian First Nations Issue Report On Restoring Upper Columbia Salmon Passage,” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/429847.aspx
— CBB, Dec. 20, 2013, “Final Recommendations For Revising Columbia River Treaty With Canada Sent To State Department,” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/429315.aspx
— CBB, Nov. 27, 2013, “Columbia River Treaty Prompts Discussion Of Restoring Salmon Passage To Canadian Headwaters” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/429144.aspx
— CBB, Nov. 1, 2013, “Columbia River Treaty Negotiations Will Impact Libby Dam Operations, Reservoir Drafting/Refill,” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/428897.aspx
— CBB, Oct. 18, 2013, “B.C. Releases Draft Columbia River Treaty Recommendations, Wants Full Accounting Of U.S. Benefits,” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/428719.aspx
— CBB, Sept. 27, 2013, “U.S. Releases Draft Recommendations For ‘Modernizing’ Columbia River Treaty” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/428444.aspx
— CBB, Aug. 16, 2013, “Environmentalists Say Columbia River Treaty Needs To Expand To Include ‘Ecosystem-Based Functions,”’ https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/427918.aspx
— CBB, Aug. 9, 2013, “Utilities Group Expresses Concern With Columbia River Treaty Draft Recommendations, Process, Scope,” https://www.www.www.columbiabasinbulletin.org/427854.aspx