Regional Issue - Columbia River Treaty

The Future of the Columbia River Treaty.  LWV Information Resources.  2014-2024 Sovereign Review Team Website and Documents.  Concerned Organizations.

The Future of the Columbia River Treaty Event

The Future of the Columbia River Treaty

May 5, 2012 5 to 8 PM

Hayden Lake Country Club

2362 East Bozanta Drive, Hayden Lake, ID 83835

Cinco de Mayo Buffet and Panel Discussion

Cost: $25 (Cash only no host bar available during the buffet)

Pay by April 30: Seating limited

Mail check to: LWV of Kootenai County c/o Antje Cripe, 2916 E Harrison Ave, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 PH: (208)665-0010 judyedwards2004@yahoo.com <br

Invited Panelists: Jim Yost, Idaho Member Sovereign Review Team and Meghan Carter, Univ. of Idaho Waters of the West JD/MS Student.

Sponsor: League of Women Voters of Idaho

judyedwards2004@yahoo.com

League of Women Voters Resources

COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN
LWVID Position in Brief
Support for minimum stream flows; support for comprehensive planning on a basin-wide basis for conservation, development, and management; support for an inventory of water resources within the basin.
Details of Position
The League of Women Voters of Idaho is concerned about the many uses of the Columbia River beyond the generation of electricity. Minimum stream flows should be established as a public right and maintained on streams in the Columbia River Basin. Regional planning policy should provide for irrigated agriculture as well as for the protection and enhancement of anadromous and resident fish.
In order to meet the present and future needs within the Columbia River Basin, the League of Women Voters of Idaho believes comprehensive planning on a basin-wide basis for conservation, development and management of water is essential to the optimum utilization of our water resources. Machinery is needed which will provide coordinated planning and administration among federal, state and other agencies and establish a process for resolving conflicts among uses. Procedures should be established which provide information and an opportunity for citizen participation in policy decisions affecting water resources development. The federal government has a role in financing water resources development, but state and local government and private users should share such costs based on benefits received and the ability to pay.
The League believes that wise planning for the use of water in the Columbia River Basin requires an inventory of the water resources within the basin. This inventory should include all water-related rights, current use and projected needs. This information should be readily available to concerned agencies and the general public. (Adopted May, 1981, reorganized May, 1988)
Explanation
The 1979 LWVI Convention voted to work with Washington, Oregon and Montana Leagues to promote coordinated multi-purpose management of Columbia River Basin waters through an inter-League task force. With the Oregon and Washington Leagues, LWVI has supported protection for Hells Canyon. Most recently LWVI support Protected Areas amendments of the Northwest Power Planning Council limiting segments of Northwest streams from future hydropower development to benefit anadromous and resident fish and to enhance wildlife habitat. The League has worked for minimum stream flow legislation and the "Water/Power" initiative to set minimum stream flows and continues to support establishment of base flows for individual streams.

Great River of the West - Columbia River; by LWV Idaho, LWV Montana, LWV Oregon, LWV Washington - 1959

1959 Columbia River Basin, Seattle LWV Study

Columbia River Treaty 2014-2024 Sovereign Review Team

Columbia River Treaty 2014-2024 Sovereign Review Team Website

Concerned Organizations

Treaty Parties - The Bonneville Power Administration and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers support the U.S. Entity as well as the U.S. Department of State. B.C. Hydro and Power Authority supports the Canadian Entity, the Province of British Columbia, and the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Contact: treatyreview@bpa.gov

For more information about these organizations:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers -- Northwestern Division
Bonneville Power Administration
B.C. Hydro and Power Authority
British Columbia -- Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources

NW Energy Coalition
Northwest Power and Conservation Council

Library of Reports/Papers/Videos

Upper Columbia United Tribes

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: April 30, 2012 20:56 PDT.

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