The Columbia River Treaty, signed in 1964, calls for two "entities" to implement the Treaty — a U.S. Entity and a Canadian Entity. The U.S. Entity, created by the President, consists of the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration (chair) and the Northwestern Division Engineer (member) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Canadian Entity, appointed by the Canadian Federal Cabinet, is the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority (B.C. Hydro).

The Treaty also established the Permanent Engineering Board (PEB), set up by the two governments to monitor and report on the results being achieved under the Treaty. Additionally, the board assists in reconciling differences concerning technical or operational matters that may arise between the Entities. The U.S. Secretaries of Army and Energy each appoint a PEB member and the governments of Canada and British Columbia each appoint a Canadian member.

The U.S. Entity is committed to a multi-year regional conversation to address a broad range of resource management issues related to the Columbia River. The Columbia River Treaty 2014/2024 Review will enable the U.S. Entity to make an informed recommendation, in collaboration with the regional sovereigns and stakeholders, to the U.S. Department of State by September 2013 as to whether or not it is in the best interest of the U.S. to continue, terminate or seek to amend the Treaty. The U.S. Entity will ensure an open, collaborative and regionwide engagement process to hear all interests in the Pacific Northwest.

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