Cranbrook Mayor Wayne Stetski has been appointed to the newly-formed Columbia River Treaty Government's Committee.

The new committee is mandated with engaging the public and local governments in the process leading up to the renewal of the Columbia River Treaty (CRT).

"The Columbia River Treaty is important from an economic standpoint as well as a recreational standpoint," Stetski said.

The CRT, arguably one of the most important agreements signed between Canada and the U.S., has no official expiry date but comes up for renewal in September 2024. Either party must apply in written form to renew, change or cancel the complicated treaty with 10 years notice, or in 2014.

Under the 1964 treaty, three dams were constructed in Canada, including the Mica, Duncan and Hugh Keenleyside Dams. A fourth dam was constructed in Libby, Montana creating the Koocanusa reservoir that extends 67 kilometres into Canada and a further 120 km in the U.S.

Stetski said the board will work to discuss the benefits of the treaty and its continuation, and address concerns as they relate to Basin residents. One of the concerns that will be addressed is the Koocanusa reservoir. Stetski said the popular lake is hindered by the fact that the water level is often not maintained on a regular basis, and the controls lie on the opposite side of the border.

"We've got some of the longest boat launches in the world at Lake Koocanusa," Stetski said.

The committee is getting started now to allow enough time for a series public consultations. Stetski said they will be discussing the issues with the Ktunaxa, Shuswap and Okanagan First Nations. The first meetings are set for January 30 and 31, and Stetski said there is a lot to do between now and 2014.

"They've laid out a process here starting in January 2012," he said.

At the inaugural meeting, the committee members will meet to discuss when to hold the public consultations. After the meeting, there will be more information for residents on how to get involved.

"Local governments want to be actively and meaningfully engaged in decisions around the future of the CRT on behalf of residents," said Deb Kozak of Nelson who has been selected as committee chair. "The committee will work to create opportunities for dialogue and consultation."

The regional districts that will be represented at the Columbia River Treaty committee are the Central Columbia Shuswap Regional District, Central Kootenay Regional District, East Kootenay Regional District and the Kootenay Boundary Regional District. The Village of the Valemount and the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Government appointed a member each, and the villages of Nakusp, Cranbrook, Nelson and Golden appointed a member of their council to the committee.

Also representing their communities on the board are Nakusp Mayor Karen Hamling as vice-chair and committee members Area G director RDCK Hans Cunningham, chair RDKB Marguerite Rotvold, Area A director RDEK Mike Sosnowski, Area B director RDKB Linda Worley, Mayor of Golden Christina Benty, Area B director CSRD Loni Parker and Valemount councillor Christine Latimer.