A Review of the Range of Impacts and Benefits of the Columbia River Treaty on Basin Communities, the Region and the Province

Author: G.E. Penfold

In response to Basin residents desire to further understand the range impacts and benefits of the Columbia River Treaty, this report was commissioned by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas and provides an overview of the Treaty and its associated dams and reservoirs in the drainages and the main stem of the Columbia River north of the 49th parallel. It does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the Province. The Columbia River Treaty Review process is intended to provide an opportunity for the Province to engage with Columbia Basin residents on the future of the Treaty. This engagement will increase the Provinces understanding of local interests, values and concerns. An additional objective of the consultation is to ensure that Columbia Basin residents understand the full range of impacts and benefits of the Treaty on Basin communities, the region and the Province.

In summary, the Columbia River Treaty Dams had significant biophysical impacts as a result of the inundation of rivers, lakes, streams wetlands and riparian ecosystems. Those losses also had economic impacts related to loss of agricultural activities and arable land, loss of forestry resources, loss of tourism and recreation opportunities and the loss of infrastructure. The process of establishing the Treaty, the acquisition of private lands and the displacement of approximately 2,300 people and the losses noted above all had a significant social impact in the region, some of which continues through to the present.
Currently, there are several compensation/mitigation initiatives underway, including Water Use Plans, Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, BC Hydro Archeological Sites Program to address some of the biophysical impacts.
The Province also established the Columbia Basin Trust to support efforts by the people of the Basin to create social, economic and environmental well-being.
The benefits to the region that have resulted from development of the Treaty Dams and related development include construction employment, permanent employment, Provincial Parks and recreation sites, some new road and marine infrastructure, reduced flood risk and grants to municipalities in lieu of taxes for the Dams and generating facilities.
Benefits to the Province include increase hydroelectric generation, both from Treaty facilities and from the new capacity developed by BC Hydro and other power projects created by improved water management on both the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers. The Province also receives downstream benefit payments from the U.S., a portion of the net income from BC Hydro, including the power generation in the Columbia Basin in Canada, as well as fees for the use of water and lands associated with the Dams and generation facilities. The Province also gets fees from parks and fishing and hunting licences. Through taxes, the Province also benefits from both construction and permanent employment.
This report does not attempt to determine the net benefit of the Treaty to B.C., the Columbia Basin in Canada, or the communities most affected by Treaty or related development, or to define the current scope or scale of unaddressed or partially addressed impacts, other than how they have been addressed in other reports.

In summary, the Columbia River Treaty Dams had significant biophysical impacts as a result of the inundation of rivers, lakes, streams wetlands and riparian ecosystems. Those losses also had economic impacts related to loss of agricultural activities and arable land, loss of forestry resources, loss of tourism and recreation opportunities and the loss of infrastructure. The process of establishing the Treaty, the acquisition of private lands and the displacement of approximately 2,300 people and the losses noted above all had a significant social impact in the region, some of which continues through to the present.
Currently, there are several compensation/mitigation initiatives underway, including Water Use Plans, Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, BC Hydro Archeological Sites Program to address some of the biophysical impacts.
The Province also established the Columbia Basin Trust to support efforts by the people of the Basin to create social, economic and environmental well-being.
The benefits to the region that have resulted from development of the Treaty Dams and related development include construction employment, permanent employment, Provincial Parks and recreation sites, some new road and marine infrastructure, reduced flood risk and grants to municipalities in lieu of taxes for the Dams and generating facilities.
Benefits to the Province include increase hydroelectric generation, both from Treaty facilities and from the new capacity developed by BC Hydro and other power projects created by improved water management on both the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers. The Province also receives downstream benefit payments from the U.S., a portion of the net income from BC Hydro, including the power generation in the Columbia Basin in Canada, as well as fees for the use of water and lands associated with the Dams and generation facilities. The Province also gets fees from parks and fishing and hunting licences. Through taxes, the Province also benefits from both construction and permanent employment.
This report does not attempt to determine the net benefit of the Treaty to B.C., the Columbia Basin in Canada, or the communities most affected by Treaty or related development, or to define the current scope or scale of unaddressed or partially addressed impacts, other than how they have been addressed in other reports.