Columbia River Treaty -- Washington Interests and Perspectives

Washington State has many interests affected by the Columbia River Treaty: hydropower, flood control, fish and wildlife, cultural interests, water supply, shipping, recreation, and water quality; most of these interests are inter-related.  Consequently, Washington has a large stake in the outcome of the current review process, which could lead to significant Treaty modifications.   Washington supports the regional recommendation to modernize the Treaty, incorporating three basic objectives: hydropower, flood control and ecosystem objectives.   The state also believes that water supply needs will become an increasingly important function of the Treaty process.  State law established the Columbia River Water Management Program, which addresses both water supply and fish needs with provisions that prohibit any water withdrawals that reduce flows during the summer and fall and stipulate that any new water sources obtained with public funds will be used to meet both water supply needs and fish needs.   Modernizing the treaty should include discussions about meeting water supply needs.   Recently, discussions have begun about restoring salmon populations above Grand Coulee, both within the Treaty process and also within existing domestic forums.  Washington  intends to participate in initial examinations of the feasibility of reintroduction, in order to make fully informed decisions on this issue.