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Vol. 90 Issue 46 • Wednesday, November 13, 2013 • www.arrowlakesnews.com • 250-265-3823 • $1.25 •
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Treaty community sessions packed with questions and concerns Claire paradis Arrow Lakes News
The afternoon and evening Nakusp sessions of the Columbia River Treaty workshop on Nov. 6 were packed with over 50 people each, as representatives Kelvin Ketchum (BC Hydro), Kathy Eichenberger (Provincial rep, CRT review team), and Karen Hamling (Local Governments Committee) laid out what information has been collected through the public consultation process. Eichenberger told the crowd that the majority of basin residents were in support of treaty continuation, and being part of the process. Residents didn’t want to see any more social or environmental impacts or flood risk, and wanted better trans-boundary planning, but they do want to see that compensation for flood control reflected the value of the service, and that all kinds of water usage were valued appropriately. Addressing the inequity of affected communities and those that have benefited remains a prime concern. Climate change, stable reservoir levels, the return of salmon to the Columbia, and a water usage plan for the Kootenay/Koocanusa system were also high priorities. Keeping reservoir levels as constant as possible, a requirement for a thriving riparian zone, was one issue discussed in Nakusp. Kelvin Ketchum outlined two alternatives: if the treaty is terminated, Arrow operations could shoot for stabilization around 1,425 or 1,420 ft, but there would be no flood control for the U.S., which would mean a stable water level but no revenue from flood control. With stabilization would come a larger wildlife area and an improvement of shorebased recreation. On the flip side, the amount of time that nutrients would be available to organisms that feed on them would decrease,
the capacity for boating would be lower with a smaller reservoir, and transportation of log booms could be interfered with at 1,420 ft. One member of the afternoon audience pointed out that Kokanee access to spawning beds is better at lower flow levels, and she inquired if levels could be kept close to 1,420 feet with a treaty continue option. Eichenberger said that it could be considered that the models that were being presented just scratched the surface and that input would help in making decisions. “Often people don’t give suggestions,” she said, “but Burton and Fauquier did.” Eichenberger noted that there is a lot of passion on both sides of the border around restoring salmon migration in the Columbia, and salmon are one issue about which there is unanimous agreement. Technically, each nation is responsible for their own structures, and according to Eichenberger, BC Hydro has said that if there are steps taken to enable salmon to migrate across U.S. dams like the Grand Coulee Dam and all the way into Canadian waters, they would look at how to open up fish passage into the upper Columbia. Currently, the Grand Coulee Dam, built between 1933 and 1942, blocks salmon passage to Canada. Getting fish past Revelstoke and Mica will be a challenge, she said, but there are already provisions for the three other dams on the Canadian side. It was also pointed out that money from power generation is reduced in treaty termination scenarios, as the Canadian Entitlement no longer exists. The estimated amount of the average annual Entitlement amount over the past ten years was given as roughly $200 million, an amount that was portrayed would be missing if the treaty were terminated. One attendee said that wasn’t a fair characterization because it was clear the U.S. would
Concerned citizens packed the Nakusp auditorium for both sessions of the Columbia River Treaty draft review on Nov. 6. Claire Paradis/Arrow Lakes News The value of water was raised more than be coming to the table with the intention to severely reduce the Canadian Entitlement, so once, with residents pointing out that the U.S. uses water for more than just power genany theoretical loss was unknown. RDCK Director Andy Shadrack pointed eration, but also for irrigation as well as recout the need for basin-wide discussion about reation and maintaining their ecosystems. the effects of climate change, giving the Eichenberger agreed that the value of nonColumbia wetlands that are fed by dimin- power benefits has been overlooked, and how ishing glaciers as an example of one area of water value is calculated needs to take into many that need to be taken into consider- account far more than it has to date. “This is not the enemy,” said Nakusp ation. Another Nakusp resident raised the issue mayor Karen Hamling before the Local Govthat pieces of the conversation around the ernment session, pointing to Kathy Eichentreaty, such as First Nations discussions, are berg after the question and answer period. unknown. The mayor, who attended a couple of state“How do we know they’ll listen to us?” side meetings, said our neighbours to the she said, concerned that issues raised in these south are unaware of the history and the consessions would be overlooked at the negoti- temporary issues up here, and are just beginating table. First nations are now taking part ning to find out. She stressed that, other than in the Local Government Committee Eichen- the air we breathe, water is the most precious berger responded, and that committee will be commodity we will ever have, and encouron hand at any negotiations, although they aged people to contribute their comments will not be at the table themselves. about the draft recommendation.
Be part of what happens to water in the province Claire paradis Arrow Lakes News
Water has frequently been the subject of news stories, particularly the legalities around treatment, usage and ownership of water. A new Water Sustainability Act that will replace the current Water Act is being proposed, and the public is being asked to provide feed-
back. The new act is touted as making improvements in key areas, namely the protection of stream health and aquatic environments; water considerations in land-use decisions; regulations and protection of groundwater; regulation of water in times of scarcity; improvement of security, efficiency and conservation; and measurement and reporting of large-scale water use. The
“ I want to know more about mutual funds.”
Act is also to provide for a range of governance approaches of water in the province. Citizens can contribute feedback via email, fax, post or online until Nov. 15, and input that is received will be posted online. Agricultural interests such as the BC Cattlemen’s Association and the BC Agricultural Council are clear that protecting water quality and access is a necessary part of
food security, and see the new Act as necessary. They aren’t alone. “A new Water Sustainability Act would serve to modernize the existing, century-old Water Act, which doesn’t reflect today’s norms or values, especially from an environmental perspective. This new legislation would be a significant and welcomed step forward, and will improve our ability to better manage and care for our rivers, aquifers
and water resources in general,” said Mark Angelo, rivers chair of the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC. Water and water management affects all aspects of life. Make your voice heard about the new Water Sustainability Act before Nov. 15. The legislative proposal and summary document for the new Water Sustainability Act can be found online.
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