Bankes, Nigel --- "The Columbia River Treaty between Canada and the United States of America – time for change?" [2017] ELECD 1480; in Hollo, J. Erkki (ed), "Water Resource Management and the Law" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2017) 262

Book Title: Water Resource Management and the Law

Editor(s): Hollo, J. Erkki

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781785369827

Section: Chapter 10

Section Title: The Columbia River Treaty between Canada and the United States of America – time for change?

Author(s): Bankes, Nigel

Number of pages: 17

Abstract/Description:

The Columbia River Treaty between Canada and the United States was concluded in 1961 and entered into force in 1964. The Treaty is recognized as an outstanding example of the cooperative development of an international river basin based upon the idea of sharing the benefits of that cooperation. The Treaty principally addresses two values, flood control and power. The Treaty has no set termination date but either party may give ten years notice as of September 2014 to terminate the power sharing provisions. The flood control provisions change automatically in 2024. However, the Treaty has also been subject to criticism on the grounds that it fails to reflect a broader suite of values, including ecological values. Both parties have been considering their position with respect to possible amendments. This chapter describes the balance struck by the original Treaty and the positions of both parties with respect to possible amendments. Keywords: Chapter 10 (Bankes): Columbia River Treaty, power control, flood control, ecosystem-based function, sharing of benefits, British Columbia