| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
The paper is for discussion purposes to provide a starting point for Columbia Basin residents and the Province to identify ecosystem function and environmental interests inside and outside of the scope of the Columbia River Treaty. This understanding will help to inform the provincial strategic decision around the future of the Columbia River Treaty. This Discussion Paper has been developed in stages throughout the review process and has been updated based on feedback and modelling throughout the process. The first two chapters summarize the various environmental interests as they relate to water management in the Columbia Basin and give examples of activities and initiatives conducted to address those interests. These chapters are based on a literature review focusing on BC Hydro’s Non-Treaty Storage Agreement (NTSA) consultation reports, Water Use Plans (WUP), Fish and Wildlife Compensation Plan (FWCP) reports and other documentation, and public consultation undertaken by the Province in spring 2012. Chapter 3 describes how environmental interests may be affected by future operations of storage facilities under scenarios of either continuing or terminating the Columbia River Treaty. It is based on the findings of technical studies, modelling and consultation conducted between August 2012 and October 2013. The details of which are found in the Columbia River Treaty Review Technical Studies Report1 and the subsequent Addendum to the Technical Studies Report.2 Chapter 4 provides a summary of key findings and observations. This Discussion Paper does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the Province. The Water Use Plan process, the Non-Treaty Storage Agreement and the FWCP are all based on forward looking approaches; in other words, the recognition that environmental and social impacts have occurred in the Columbia River Basin with dam building, but incremental operational changes at the hydro-electric facilities, and physical works in the Basin can be undertaken to offset some of these impacts. This report does not provide an in-depth accounting of what has been impacted, but rather a summary of the mitigation and compensation efforts to date resulting from the WUP, NTSA, FWCP and other processes. The geographical scope of the research encompasses the main-stem of the Columbia River from Kinbasket reservoir and tributaries and the Columbia River to its headwaters, to the border with the United States; the Duncan watershed, Kootenay Lake and the lower Kootenay River to the confluence with the main stem Columbia River; the Koocanusa watershed and Kootenay River as it enters into Kootenay Lake. Okanagan Basin issues are being addressed in a separate process. |
