What role should the ecosystem play in this updated treaty between the U.S. and Canada?

The United States and Canada are going to renegotiate how to handle flood control and hydropower on the Columbia River. But salmon advocates also want negotiators to consider the health of the whole Columbia River ecosystem.

The Columbia River Treaty, which is around 60 years old, coordinates flood control and hydropower along the Columbia River between the United States and Canada. The United States is renegotiating to modernize the treaty.

Salmon advocates say updates to the treaty need to include the health of salmon and the ecosystem. D.R. Michel, executive director of the Upper Columbia United Tribes, says people should frame ecosystem function as a benefit instead of a cost, as it’s historically been seen.

“These are investments, but what is the cost to us if we don’t have salmon in our system? If we’re forced to have our future generation only seeing salmon in a book?" Michel said.

If a deal isn’t reached before 2024, the plan to manage flood control will expire. Salmon advocates say that will shift flood control from Canada to the United States, which they say could further degrade salmon habitat.

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