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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Gold Hill Ethics Commission investigating city manager ... Anti-profiling policy required by state law already in place in Medford ... Snorkeler returns 1928 class ring found in lake near Bend ... Gold Hill Ethics Commission investigating city manager ... Anti-profiling policy required by state law already in place in Medford ... Snorkeler returns 1928 class ring found in lake near Bend ... NORTHWEST DAMS Northwest lawmakers seek talks on river treaty with Canada Letter expresses concerns about Obama administration's slow pace on the matter Comment By Nicholas K. Geranios The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Nicholas K. Geranios The Associated Press Posted Apr. 15, 2015 at 4:50 PM By Nicholas K. Geranios The Associated Press Posted Apr. 15, 2015 at 4:50 PM » Social News SPOKANE, Wash. — The entire congressional delegation from Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana is demanding that the Obama administration begin negotiations with Canada to update a landmark treaty that governs the operation of dams on North America's fourth-largest river. The treaty, signed in 1964, is important because the Columbia River basin's dams affect the economy, environment and flood-control needs of millions of residents in the four states, along more than 1,200 miles of the river and its tributaries. "Given the 2024 deadline for certain aspects of the treaty, we ... urge you to initiate negotiations with Canada in 2015," the 26 members of the Senate and House wrote to the president this week. The letter expressed concerns about the Obama administration's slow pace on the complicated matter. The treaty governs operations of hydroelectric dams and reservoirs on the Columbia River. It has no expiration date, but either country can cancel it or suggest changes beginning in 2024 with 10 years' notice. Numerous issues already have emerged. For instance, the United States contends it should pay dramatically less to Canada for the various benefits it gets through the treaty. Also, Native American tribes in the U.S. and Canada are pushing for the return of salmon runs that some of the dams destroyed. Tribes are pushing for the treaty to include salmon restoration to the upper Columbia, above Grand Coulee Dam in northern Washington state. The U.S. has said the two countries should study the possibility of restoring fish passage over that dam. But Canada contends restoring fish migration and habitat is not a treaty issue. The new letter follows one sent to the president last year requesting action by mid-2014. It is intended to "express consternation with how the process has unfolded thus far." "We remain concerned about ... the prioritization this matter is receiving within your Administration and the Department of State," the letter states.    By Nicholas K. Geranios The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Nicholas K. Geranios The Associated Press Posted Apr. 15, 2015 at 4:50 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501