2013 Science to Policy Summit on the Columbia River Treaty
A Treaty for our Time: Implications for the Lower Columbia River
May 10, 2013, Vancouver Hilton, Vancouver, Washington
More than 100 people attended the Estuary Partnership's 2013 Science to Policy Summit on May 10, 2013 to discuss the Columbia River Treaty. The Estuary Partnership developed a summary of the summit including a series of recommendations from the Board of Directors for the Treaty Sovereign Review Team. The Summit Summary is linked below along with links to the presentations from each speaker, photos from the day, and links to treaty related news stories and web sites.
Summit Summary: Summit Summary and recommendations for the Treaty Sovereign Review Team
Summit Photos: http://andiepetkus.zenfolio.com/p246635956
Paul Lumley, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
reviews the tribal perspective on the Columbia River Treaty.
2013 Science to Policy Summit Presentations:
Speaker: John Shurts, General Counsel, Northwest Power and Conservation Council
Presentation: The Columbia River Treaty
Speaker: Paul Lumley, Executive Director, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission
Presentation: Columbia River Treaty 2014/2024 Review
Speaker: Greg Fuhrer, Associate Director, US Geological Survey Oregon Water Science Center
Presentation: Ecosystem Based Management
Speaker: Catherine Corbett, Chief Scientist, Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership
Presentation: Lower Columbia River Ecosystem Restoration Program
Speaker: Matt Rea, Program Manager, United States Army Corps of Engineers
Presentation: Flood Risk Management and the Columbia River Treaty 2014-2024 Review
Speaker: Maggie Skendarian, Johnson Creek Watershed Manager, Portland Bureau of Environmental Services
Presentation: Johnson Creek Floodplain Restoration: Reducing Risks and Improving Habitat
Speaker: John Fazio, Senior Power Systems Analyst, Northwest Power Conservation Council
Presentation: Bonneville Power Administration Analysis of Impacts to Hydroelectric Operations and Power Related Issues
Speaker: Kindy Gosal, Director of Special Initiatives, Columbia Basin Trust
Presentation: Columbia Basin Trust Lower Estuary Group
Speaker: Keith Kutchins, Policy Analyst, Upper Columbia United Tribes
Presentation: United for the Benefit of All - LCEP - Columbia River Treaty
Speaker: Taylor Aalvik, Director of Natural Resources Department, Cowlitz Indian Tribe
Presentation: 2013 Science to Policy Summit: the Columbia River Treaty
Background:
The Columbia River Treaty between the United States and Canada was approved in 1964 with the goal improving flood control and increasing power generation. Over the last 50 years a lot has changed in our understanding of the river and the basin. While the Treaty has no end date, either country can terminate it in 2024 by giving ten years written notice. Therefore 2014 is a critical juncture for the Columbia River Basin. In addition, in 2024 the annual assured flood control operations will end, whether the Treaty is terminated or not, with potentially significant implications for the lower river. An intensive review process, the 2014/2024 Review of the Treaty, is underway. The Science to Policy Summit will bring our community leaders, scientists and policy makers together to talk about the Treaty and how various stakeholders are affected by it. The round table discussion will focus on the key interests of the lower Columbia that participants feel are important to convey to the Treaty Review process.
Additional Columbia River Treaty Information:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bonneville Power Administration - Columbia River Treaty Review: http://www.crt2014-2024review.gov/
Northwest Power and Conservation Council: http://www.nwcouncil.org/history/columbiarivertreaty
BC Columbia River Treaty Review: http://blog.gov.bc.ca/columbiarivertreaty/2012/04/columbia-river-treaty-2012-review/
City of Portland River’s Office: http://www.portlandonline.com/ohwr/index.cfm?c=58747
Map of Tribes affected by Columbia River Treaty: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/cwp/images/pdf/TribesCRT.pdf
In the News:
To manage the Columbia River we need a new treaty, for a new era: Guest opinion
The Oregonian, May 4, 2013
Talking Columbia River Treaty
OPB News, April 30, 2013
Summit to Discuss Columbia River Treaty
The Columbian, April 30, 2013
Oregon House Passes Columbia River Treaty Bill
Albany Tribune, April 29, 2013
CleanHydro highlights hydropower and river values
South County Spotlight News, Editorial, April 19, 2013
Power play among friends: U.S., Canada renegotiate pact that averts Portland flooding
Portland Tribune, Sustainable Life, April 18, 2013
Columbia River Treaty between U.S. and Canada under intense review
The Oregonian, The Oregonian April 15, 2013
Revising the U.S.-Canada treaty for Columbia River use needs full public input now
The Oregonian, Editorial, April 05, 2013
Climate factors into Columbia River Treaty talks: U.S., Canada will decide whether to extend, change treaty
The Columbian, Sunday, March 17, 2013