The Manitoba government is compensating farmers who lost crop and forage land in July when excess water flowed down the Portage Diversion channel.
Manitoba agriculture minister Ron Kostyshyn announced Wednesday that landowners will receive $1.15 million in payments for flooded land adjacent to the Portage Diversion.
“During our flood response, the Manitoba government used the Portage Diversion to manage water flow and provide protection to as many Manitobans’ homes and properties as possible,” Kostyshyn said. “The government recognizes this decision led to flooding on agricultural land and losses for producers.”
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The province moved water from the Assiniboine River to Lake Manitoba, via the Portage Diversion channel, following a severe late June rainfall when approximately 150 to 200 millimetres fell in eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba.
Landowners near the Portage Diversion and around Lake Manitoba held demonstrations in July to protest the decision to divert Assiniboine River water and flood their land without fair compensation.
The $1.15 million in compensation applies to a small tract of land, only 2,500 acres, near the Portage Diversion.
Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation, the provincial crop insurer, will contact the affected landowners.
