About 47 years in – the Columbia River Treaty is hanging in. But how long will the treaty continue? How has it been going over the years?
Sessions are coming up in Castlegar and Trail on Oct. 19 and 20, respectively, to provide an update on the agreement. The question 'Why learn about it now?' is posed on the Columbia Basin Trust website in relation to the information sessions, and is then explained.
"The year 2024 is the earliest date either Canada or the United States may terminate the CRT, provided 10-year advance notice is given in 2014," it is declared on the site.
"It's possible either country may wish to renegotiate parts or all of the CRT, or terminate it entirely. Now is the time to find out how this 1964 international agreement relates to dams and reservoirs in the Columbia Basin and why it matters to your community, the Columbia Basin and all of B.C."
The local West Kootenay stops along this information tour are: Wednesday, October 19 in Castlegar at the Community Complex – 2101 Sixth Avenue (open house 2 p.m. -7 p.m., bbq 6-7, presentation 7-9).The program, same times, runs the following day in Trail at the Riverbelle – 1350 Esplanade.