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Columbia River Treaty talks held in Golden, Castlegar

The Province is hosting two free conferences that will explore the future of the Columbia River Treaty.
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Residents from across the Columbia Basin have been taking part in information sessions and provincial consultations on the Columbia River Treaty and sharing their views and ideas.

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The Province is hosting two free conferences that will explore the future of the Columbia River Treaty (CRT) and secure input on alternative future scenarios and how Basin interests might be affected. The CRT Local Governments' Committee encourages Basin residents to attend one of these consultation conferences in Golden on March 20 or Castlegar on March 22.

These are the last consultations planned by the Province as it fulfills its commitment to consult with residents of the Columbia Basin to ensure their concerns are heard as part of the provincial review of the CRT.

The CRT is an international agreement signed in 1964 by Canada and the United States to coordinate flood control and optimize hydroelectric power generation on both sides of the border.

"The Province has completed a number of important studies, including analyses of the potential impacts of CRT scenarios on Basin interests," said Deb Kozak, CRT Local Governments' Committee Chair and Councillor, City of Nelson.

"It is important that Basin residents attend these consultation conferences to express their views on the Treaty options and on local issues related to the CRT."

Decisions about the future of the CRT could influence how Canada operates local dams and reservoirs for power, flood control and other values, including the environment.

Those changes could impact, among other things, water levels, annual payments from the U.S. to BC, and the amount of hydroelectricity generated in the Columbia Basin.

• Golden on Wednesday, March 20 at Golden Civic Centre from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Castlegar on Friday, March 22 at the Sandman Inn (will be live streamed) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To view the agenda, see the latest studies and register for these free conferences or the live streamed option, visit www.gov.bc.ca/columbiarivertreaty or call 250-952-0777.

As an alternative, join the Provincial CRT Review Team from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the dates and locations below for an overview of the Treaty options. Registration is not required for these information sessions.

• Golden on Wednesday, March 20 at Golden Civic Centre

• Nelson on Thursday, March 21 at Prestige Lakeside Resort.