Columbia River Treaty Symposium

Formal negotiations between the U.S. and Canada on the Columbia River Treaty has begun. The agreement, which began in 1964, governs hydropower and flood-control operations along the Columbia River.  ​

PNWER will hold a Symposium exploring the Columbia River system, the current Treaty and its impacts on the region. 

The full Symposium consists of: 
  • Columbia River Treaty Session (to be held in Spokane during the Summit)
  • Grand Coulee Dam Tour (half day tour to the Dam)
  • B.C. 2-day Study Tour (departing Thursday morning, and arriving back in Spokane Friday evening)
  • More details below
How to Register:
The Columbia River Treaty Symposium is a part of the bigger PNWER Annual Summit in Spokane (link to Summit website here). 
Option 1: Participants can choose to register for the full Summit (July 22-26) and add on the Grand Coulee Dam and the B.C. Tour as policy tours through the registration portal.*
  • Pricing: 
    • Full Summit July 22-26 | $650 USD
Option 2: Participants can choose to register for ONLY the Symposium, which includes the session and options to add the policy tours.*
  • Pricing: 
    • Columbia River Treaty Session | $70 USD
    • Grand Coulee Dam Tour | $25 USD
    • B.C. 2-day Study Tour | $100 USD

*PLEASE NOTE: Policy tours have a capacity limit, priority will be given to legislators.
** There is a REQUIRED security clearance form for the Grand Coulee Dam Tour. Please see below, the deadline for foreign participants is June 20th, for U.S. participants is July 6th.
Background Information and History on the Columbia River Treaty:
  • COLUMBIA RIVER TREATY SESSION
  • GRAND COULEE DAM TOUR
  • B.C. 2-DAY COLUMBIA RIVER TREATY STUDY TOUR
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The session will feature both lead negotiators of the Columbia River Treaty from Canada and the U.S., followed by a roundtable listening session of legislators and various stakeholders speaking on the Columbia River and the impacts of the Treaty on their livelihood. 
Grand Coulee Dam Tour
When: Wednesday, July 25  from 2 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Cost: $25 (Must register before June 20)

This tour will feature the Grand Coulee Dam, one of the most significant water systems in Eastern Washington. Participants will get the chance to take part in a special tour of the facilities and hear from the local community about the impacts of the Dam on the regional economy and ecosystem.
We are also planning for a reception to further discuss and understand the significance of the Dam.
Security Clearance:
Participants need to send in passport details (6/20) for foreign participants, (7/6) for U.S. participants. 
Please fill out the following security form after registration for the tour, and send the form back with the appropriate photo ID to Angelica Wang at [email protected].

We look forward to seeing you on the tour!
B.C. 2-day Columbia River Treaty Study Tour
​When: 7:00 AM Thursday, July 26 to 5:00 PM Friday, July 27th 
Cost: $100 (Note: this is a subsidized cost for the tour that will include your hotel stay on Thursday, July 26, along with breakfast, lunch, and dinner both days)

​This two day tour will take participants to a number of significant sites along the Columbia River, making major stops in British Columbia, and featuring insights from leading experts on recommendations for modernizing the Treaty.
Tour registration fee is eligible for reimbursement until Friday, June 29. ]
On-site cancellations or no-shows cannot be reimbursed due to the costs incurred for the attendee   
Priority will be given to legislators. ​​

Security: Participants will need to bring their passports in order to cross the US-Canada border.
Accommodations: Please do not book your own hotel room at the Daveport Hotel. Participants will be staying in Castlegar that evening, and PNWER will arrange hotel rooms.