Feds sets Richland town hall on Columbia River Treaty. Salmon and hydropower are at stake

The federal government will hold a town hall meeting Monday in Richland to discuss an international treaty that affects daily life in the region.

Canada has huge reservoirs that store water to help with U.S. hydrogeneration and help with downstream flood control. Some of its residents want more stable reservoir levels.

And tribal leaders, climate scientists and other environmental groups are pushing to change the treaty to address river flows for salmon, not just hydropower.

Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., requested a Tri-Cities public meeting on modernizing the Columbia River Treaty with Canada, after the Department of State held town halls in Spokane, Portland, Boise and Kalispell, Mont.

The people of the Columbia Basin should also have the opportunity to offer input at a town hall in the Tri-Cities, he told the agency in an October letter requesting the public meeting.

The Richland meeting is at 5:30 p.m. at the Federal Building Auditorium, 825 Jadwin Ave. People should bring government-issued identification to the secure Federal Building.

An overview of the negotiations will be given and public questions answered.

The Northwest Power and Conservation Council will be a co-host of the meeting, and Jill Smail, the chief negotiator on the treaty, will lead the town hall.

Utility customers pay the “Canadian Entitlement,” with electric ratepayers in the Northwest providing $250 million to $350 million a year worth of electric power.

It’s a higher benefit than U.S. officials originally intended when Canada approved the treaty in 1964.

It is crucial that the questions, concerns and feedback of the people of the Columbia Basin are heard, Newhouse said.