The purpose of gaining up to 5 million acre-feet of flexibility is to enhance ecosystems, Indigenous cultural values, and socio-economic objectives.  There is significant research and river management scenario modelling underway that is informing how best to use this new flexibility.  Part of that process includes looking at different Treaty reservoir elevations and flows throughout the year. Research to determine objectives for the modelling process is being led by the Ktunaxa, Secwépemc and Syilx Okanagan Nations in collaboration with federal and provincial governments, the Columbia River Treaty Local Governments Committee, and environmental non-governmental scientists and technical consultants. While the work is progressing well, alternative hydro system operations, known as Specified Operations (SO), are not yet fully developed.  Once this work is further advanced, there will be a separate engagement process in the Basin to explain what improvements are being planned in which areas, and to receive feedback.  Once the SO is determined, it will be integrated into Columbia River Treaty operation planning and must be implemented under the modernized Treaty.

If the Treaty is modernized in a way that reflects the agreement-in-principle, the combination of reduced pre-planned flood risk management and new Canadian flexibility would give B.C. more control over its Treaty dam operations and resulting river flows and reservoir levels to address impacts to ecosystems and communities. Following the modernized Treaty’s entry into force, Canada will provide the United States with 3.6 million acre-feet (MAF) of pre-planned flood risk management (FRM), a 60% reduction from the current 8.95 MAF.  Arrow Lakes Reservoir would continue to provide the 3.6 MAF of FRM storage as it is the closest reservoir to the border and therefore the most effective in responding to the Columbia freshet; however, Kinbasket and Duncan Reservoirs would no longer need to be operated to meet planned U.S. FRM requirements. The new Canadian flexibility under the AIP would allow Canada to unilaterally decide to reduce the current coordinated power storage of 15.5 MAF by up to 5 MAF, or almost a third of the Treaty storage space, for B.C.’s own domestic purposes.  Domestic flexibility may be used to address impacts resulting from the Treaty to ecosystems, Indigenous cultural values and socio-economic interests. There is significant research and river management scenario modelling underway that is informing how B.C. can best manage this new flexibility.  Part of that process includes looking at different flows and elevations throughout the year on Treaty reservoirs and river sections.  Research to determine objectives and operational scenarios for the modelling process is being led by the Ktunaxa, Secwépemc and Syilx Okanagan Nations in collaboration with federal and provincial governments, the Columbia River Treaty Local Governments Committee, and environmental non-governmental scientists and technical consultants. Once options for changes in Treaty hydrosystem operations using the new flexibility are identified, B.C. will hold a separate public engagement process with Basin communities to get their feedback.

The Province of B.C. has been engaging with First Nations, local governments and residents in the Basin since 2012 to learn what interests matter to them, and what they want to see changed in the Treaty. The B.C. CRT Team has been connecting with people through virtual and in-person meetings, social media, newsletters, emails, letters and one-on-one phone calls with interested citizens.  Members of the Canadian negotiating delegation, including Canada’s Chief Negotiator and representatives from the Province of B.C. and Basin First Nations, attend public meetings to provide insight into the process for modernizing the Treaty, answer questions and hear from residents firsthand. There are also two committees the B.C. CRT Team engages with regularly – the Columbia River Treaty Local Governments Committee and the Columbia Basin Regional Advisory Committee.  These groups have members from across the Basin and are providing suggestions, feedback and advice on what an improved Treaty could look like. Engagement has continued since the AIP was reached. Resources have been provided that explain the AIP in various ways, including an overview video, backgrounder, and a more detailed document containing the content of the AIP. B.C. hosted a series of virtual information sessions for the public to learn more about the AIP and ask questions.  Recordings of those sessions are available on the B.C. Columbia River Treaty website. The CRT Team looks forward to returning to the Basin for in-person community meetings.  Those sessions, originally planned for early in 2025, will be confirmed once there is more clarity about next steps on the path to modernizing the Treaty.  Negotiations between Canada and the U.S. to modernize the Treaty are currently paused, as the U.S. administration conducts a broad review of its international engagements. Questions and comments are encouraged and can be sent to columbiarivertreaty@gov.bc.ca.