5. Conclusion

As the previous sections illustrate, there doesn’t appear to be definite Basin-wide consensus on most issues raised during public consultation, and perhaps nor should there be as each part of the Basin experiences impacts, benefits, opportunities and challenges differently, depending on a whole host of circumstances.

One key finding from this is that, while there are synergies across the region and sub-regions, communities expect to be treated in manner that respect their own identity and aspirations. However, there are areas of general agreement or trends that can serve to guide the provincial government in considering options on the future of the Treaty and opportunities deriving from those decisions.

Decision to Terminate, Continue or Modify the Columbia River Treaty

The vast majority of Basin residents who participated in the Treaty review expressed the opinion that the Treaty should continue and improvements to the Treaty should be negotiated with the US. Inherent in the negotiation process is continued and effective engagement with residents and local governments in some form.

Most residents have clearly indicated that no further significant impacts to the Basin should be accepted.

Flood Control

Basin residents recognize that the Treaty has been effective in minimizing the frequency and severity of flooding and has increased public safety and protection of private and public property. However Basin residents want to see even better planning on both sides of the border to minimize flood damage and mitigate ecosystem and social impacts from flood control.

Basin residents maintain that B.C. must secure benefits for the provision of flood control services to the U.S., as the 60 years of pre-paid flood control expires in 2024.

Provincial, regional and local governments need to work together and more effectively to prevent further development in floodplains so that greater flexibility in managing flood risk can benefit other land uses such as agriculture and ecosystems.

Libby Dam

BC communities along Koocanusa Reservoir and downstream along Kootenay River are impacted by Libby Dam operations without any ability to influence operations. Many residents believe the Province should negotiate an alternate Treaty arrangement so that Koocanusa Reservoir and Kootenay River flows are managed collaboratively between the two countries.

Power Generation

Most Basin residents recognize that power production was an integral part of the Treaty, and that the Basin provides approximately half the generation capacity of the province. There is further appreciation that this source of energy is virtually green house gas free, and as such is expected to become more valuable over time.

Furthermore, a significant reduction of energy production would in time require the development of other sources of energy elsewhere, with associated social and environmental impacts.

That being said, the magnitude of reservoir fluctuations continues to produce negative impacts to ecosystems, infrastructure, recreation, tourism and other values. Most residents would like to see a reduction of the frequency and degree of water level changes, even if at the expense of power generation.

Residents in several communities appreciate the jobs and economic opportunities resulting from the ongoing upgrading and maintenance of the hydroelectric system in the Basin.

The majority of Basin residents believe that the value of the Canadian Entitlement should be maintained or increased, as the benefits to the U.S. are increasing over a broader range of interests. Revenue from the Canadian Entitlement should also be shared more equitably with affected areas.

Ecosystems

The majority of Basin residents strongly believe that ecosystem health should be an important if not equal consideration in Treaty implementation and domestic hydroelectric system management. Desired outcomes are improved and expanded wildlife habitat, wetlands, riparian vegetation and fish population and diversity.

Three main opportunities are identified:

• enhance effectiveness, scope and funding of the FWCP,
• establish stable reservoir levels, and
• communicate and build on the monitoring and findings from the Water Use Plans.

Stable reservoir levels would allow the re-establishment of vegetation and wildlife habitat, including nesting sites. Desired stable elevations ranged from mid-pool to 5 metres below full pool. The strongest desire for a stable reservoir level was from residents around Arrow Lakes Reservoir, which is promoting a mid-elevation reservoir level, while residents near Kinbasket reservoir recognize that the importance of the reservoir for power production might limit operational changes and that currently B.C. has little if any influence on operations of Koocanusa reservoir.

Many residents support the aspirational goal of the return of salmon to the Canadian Columbia Basin, although the feasibility of achieving this goal is in question.

Socio-economic

The majority of people engaged in the Treaty review feel that there are insufficient measures to mitigate effects from historical and ongoing impacts from the Treaty projects and the hydroelectric system as a whole. Many point out the inequity that, in some cases, communities most impacted have received the least benefits.

Many residents appreciate the creation of the CBT and their mandate of supporting the environmental, social and economic well-being of the Basin. Given the growing amount of available funding, many expressed the hope that the disbursement of the Trust’s funding will make a real difference to communities in the Basin.

Depending on the community and its location in the Basin, residents urge the Province, local government and CBT to work together to create capacity and opportunities for economic development to ensure the sustainability of those communities. Agriculture and tourism were a particular focus.

Climate Change

Most basin residents want climate change planning and adaptation to be explicitly integrated in Treaty implementation.

Governance

The majority of residents in the Kootenay sub-basin who participated in public consultation sessions made a strong recommendation for a water use plan, or a similar process, for the Kootenay/Koocanusa system. Residents feel that there are inherent benefits to going through such a planning process, as observed in the Columbia Water Use Planning process.

Many Basin residents want to receive timely information on hydroelectric system operations in a form and manner that they can understand, and have the ability to provide input and influence decisions on hydro operations in the Basin, including decisions related to the implementation of the Treaty.

Previous: Basin Residents’ Key Areas of Interest/Concern
Next: Appendices