Thursday, February 16, 2017
The Columbia River Treaty: Seeking Solutions to Emerging Challenges
A free public talk and discussion, 7pm, SFU Harbour Centre, Vancouver Room 1700
featuring
- Eileen D. Pearkes, Author, A River Captured: The Columbia River Treaty and Catastrophic Change
- Deborah Harford, ACT, PWRC; Co-Author, The Columbia River Treaty: A Primer
- Bob Sandford, UNU-INWEH: Co-Author, The Columbia River Treaty: A Primer
- Kelvin Ketchum, retired BC Hydro; Columbia River Treaty and reservoirs operations veteran
Moderator: Zafar Adeel, Executive Director, PWRC
The ratification of the Columbia River Treaty in 1964 was a landmark event, with significant implications for hydropower generation and flood protection. One of the largest transboundary international water treaties in the world, it has met with considerable success over the decades in addressing these issues from Canadian and American perspectives. However, implementation of Treaty dams and associated operations created negative impacts for BC Basin residents, farmers and First Nations that continue today, while emerging challenges pertaining to ecosystem impacts, sustainability of fish habitats, and changing climate and hydrological patterns are gaining prominence for river basin management around the world. Equally, issues of equity and social justice have a different connotation today than was the case in 1964. The panelists will explore these emerging challenges and issues, and discuss how BC, Canada and the US can utilize the Columbia River Treaty or modifications to it as a way of responding to these emerging concerns. The panelists – who represent a broad range of professional and social perspectives – will also engage with the audience in an interactive dialogue.
Reservations: https://columbiarivertreaty.eventbrite.ca