Antony J. Blinken 71st U.S. Secretary of State | Official Website
The Columbia River and its tributaries serve as a crucial resource for the Pacific Northwest, supporting cultural traditions of Tribes and Indigenous Nations, providing 40 percent of U.S. hydropower, irrigating $8 billion in agricultural products, and facilitating the movement of 42 million tons of commercial cargo valued at $20 billion annually. Modernizing the Columbia River Treaty regime has been a top priority for President Biden in collaboration with Canada.
An agreement in principle has been reached between the United States and Canada to modernize this treaty regime. This milestone aims to enhance cooperation on various fronts including Indigenous inclusion, ecosystem health, power coordination, and flood risk management.
In terms of hydropower and transmission grid connectivity, both countries aim to transition to renewable energy sources while maintaining existing clean energy like hydropower. Enhanced cooperation between U.S.'s Bonneville Power Administration and Canadian utilities is expected. Modernization will result in an immediate 37 percent reduction in hydropower delivered by the U.S. to Canada under the current agreement, reaching a 50 percent reduction by 2033.
Flood risk management measures include pre-planned storage space behind Canadian Treaty dams for flood control. This ensures predictable flows in the Columbia Basin that support shipping operations, agriculture, recreation, and regional salmon populations.
To ensure Indigenous inclusion and ecosystem health, a Tribal and Indigenous-led body will be established to provide recommendations on treaty operations concerning ecosystem needs and cultural values. Both nations commit to coordinating studies on salmon reintroduction led by U.S. Tribes and Canadian Indigenous Nations.
The agreement marks significant progress towards finalizing a modernized treaty that benefits both nations' people and environments.
