VICTORIA – The province’s proposed watershed security strategy is big on local governance but short on protections for agriculture, say critics of an intentions paper released March 6. “This is a very complex, high-level document,” says Elaine Stovin assistant general manager of the BC Cattlemen’s Association. “But it contains very little actual policy on how …
irrigation
No licence, no problem
Despite a growing number of areas in BC being elevated to Level 5 drought, the province has yet to issue fish protection or curtailment orders in response to low stream flows and the risk to aquifers. This also means that compliance activities have yet to shut down unlicensed groundwater users across the province, thousands of …
Water licence angst
DUNCAN – It’s been more than three years since Ken Ellison applied for licences to draw water from the three wells on his farm in the Cowichan Valley as part of a new groundwater management regime introduced under the Water Sustainability Act in 2016. With water restrictions in his area becoming more common, the idea …
Kamloops farmers push back on irrigation plan
KAMLOOPS – A group of irrigation water users in Kamloops received a reprieve on a city plan to undertake a $14 million system upgrade that would leave users on the hook for the bulk of that cost. Representatives of the Noble Creek Irrigation System petitioned Kamloops city council November 3 to cancel the local area …
Farm plans offer new opportunities for ranchers
VERNON – Winter weather chilled the turnout for the annual North Okanagan Livestock Association educational seminar in Vernon on January 15. Just half the 80 people registered made it to the event. “Some of our sponsors were not even able to make it,” says NOLA president Lani French. “The -20 temperatures and the poor road …
Kelowna water rates proposed
The new year will see more than 500 agriculture utility customers in the South East Kelowna Irrigation District incorporated within Kelowna’s domestic water system. The shift will change how growers pay for irrigation water. “The agriculture water rate structure being proposed is a blend of a fixed-fee and escalating tiers that would be predictable and …