Columbia River Treaty Review: Perspectives from British Columbia Lake Roosevelt Forum

1. Columbia River Treaty Review: Perspectives from British Columbia Lake Roosevelt Forum Spokane WA Nov 19, 2013 Kathy Eichenberger Executive Director BC Ministry of Energy and Mines

2. Objectives • BC Treaty review process update • Overview of draft recommendation • Next steps

3. BC Treaty Review • Under Canadian Constitution: • Federal treaty-making power • Provincial jurisdiction of natural resources, including water • 1963 Canada/BC Agreement transferred most of the treaty obligations and benefits to BC • BC Hydro is Canadian entity to implement the treaty • Province of BC is the entity for the Canadian entitlement • BC leading the Columbia River Treaty Review in Canada

4. First Nations Consultation • Comprehensive consultations to meet Crown’s obligations under the Canadian Constitution • Ktunaxa, Shuswap and Okanagan First Nations • Separate Govt-to-Govt engagement to: • Identify aboriginal rights • Determine potential impacts on rights based on decision scenarios (terminate, continue, enhance) • Identify other interests and potential ways to address them

5. Public Consultation • 3 rounds of community workshops and conferences over 18 months • Social media: website, blog, Facebook, Twitter • e-newsletter • Youth events • Sounding Board • Active engagement at municipal/regional district • political level • CRT Local Government Committee recommendations • Postcard in every mailbox • Most residents felt heard and support path forward

6. Draft Provincial Recommendation • Released October 16th • Recommendation to continue the treaty and seek improvements within the existing framework • 14 principles to guide BC in discussion of any potential treaty changes • Good feedback …… so far

7. Draft Provincial Recommendation - Principles • High level themes in principles: • Goal is to create and share benefits equitably • There is a lot of value from upstream regulation that Canada provides • Benefits to the US extend across a broad range of interests (navigation, recreation, water supply, fisheries) • Treaty operations continue to impact Canadian basin residents and regional interests

8. Draft Provincial Recommendation - Principles • High level themes in principles (cont’d) • Changing flood control in 2024 is a step backwards • Risks and impacts of effective use of reservoirs • Disagreement on interpretation of Called Upon Flood Control: • at what flood risk • which reservoirs • when to call • BC is open to discussing alternatives

9. Draft Provincial Recommendation - Principles • High level themes in principles (cont’d): • Treaty should be adaptable to changing conditions • Treaty has flexibility to incorporate ecosystems and BC will explore further improvements • Climate change will make collaboration even more important management • BC is committed to continued engagement with First Nations and the public through any potential negotiations

10. Next Steps • Conclude community and First Nations consultations • Submit final recommendations to Provincial Government by mid-December • Work with Canada on developing a post-recommendation process

11. Thank you