Hastings' Statement on U.S. Entity's "Working Draft" Regional Recommendations on Columbia River Treaty

Congressman Doc Hastings released the following statement on the United States entity's "Working Draft" regional recommendations on the Columbia River Treaty:

"While I appreciate the efforts of the Bonneville Power Administration and the Army Corps of Engineers (the "U.S. Entity') to prepare for the upcoming re-negotiation of the Columbia River Treaty with Canada, in my view, this "working draft' needs substantial "re-working.' It is vital that any extension or revision of this Treaty focuses on the core purposes of the original Treaty: providing flood control protection and ensuring the United States enjoys balanced benefits from the hydropower produced from the Columbia and Snake River dams. This document devotes significant attention to controversial issues that are not germane to this international treaty, and that could seriously undermine other important ongoing regional collaboration relating to the operation of federal and non-federal hydropower dams and salmon recovery. As Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee that has jurisdiction over BPA and hydropower, the Bureau of Reclamation's Columbia River Basin Project, and the Endangered Species Act, I'll be conducting oversight of BPA's and the Army Corps' efforts relating to the Columbia River Treaty and its potential impacts."

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