Alberta’s irrigation act will be reviewed this summer.
The 30-year-old act is responsible for the administration of the province’s 13 irrigation districts.
Irrigation has brought a bloom to the southern portion of the province where 1.2 million acres receive water for farms, industrial use and homes.
The irrigation system covers territory from Calgary to Cardston to Medicine Hat and allows farmers in the hot, dry south to grow everything from alfalfa to zucchini.
Water is delivered via a series of canals and pipelines to 48 towns and villages, country residences, farms, industrial users and wetlands projects.
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“Irrigation has allowed us to move into the value-added sector more than we could have otherwise,” said Len Fullen, of the policy secretariat in Alberta Agriculture.
The water is delivered by the irrigation districts, which are responsible for the canals, pipelines and reservoirs.
New act on its way
The province’s original irrigation legislation dates to 1915 with the last revision in 1968. The revision is part of the government’s aim to review and revise all older legislation. A new act is expected by 1998.
The act does not govern the amount of irrigated land allowed in the province. Alberta Environment, through the water act is responsible for allocation and determining how much water is available each year.
Public meetings will be held this summer in three locations. Anyone can make presentations or comments.
Meetings will be held at Taber, July 22 at the Heritage Inn, Picture Butte, July 23 at the community centre and Brooks at the Heritage Inn July 24. All meetings start at 1:30 p.m.
Written submissions may be sent until July 31 to Len Fullen, project manager, policy secretariat, Alberta Agriculture.
For more information call 403-422-2070 or use the government toll-free number, 310-0000.
