Officials say treaty has local implications
Regional players have said revising the Columbia River Treaty could have big implications for Southwest Washington and Clark County.
Recalibrating the Canadian Entitlement — the amount of hydroelectric power sent to Canada each year under the treaty — may have an effect on local ratepayers’ utility bills. In the review leading up to Friday’s final recommendation, Clark Public Utilities was among the agencies that said lowering the entitlement should be a top priority of the U.S.
Northwest tribal leaders and others emphasized the need for addressing ecosystem function in revising the treaty. Any resulting benefit to salmon and the Columbia River’s health could bring an environmental and economic boost to local communities, officials said.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., was among the elected officials who welcomed Friday’s announcement.