WINNIPEG – Manitoba’s natural resources and environment ministers told farmers last week that they will meet with their Saskatchewan counterparts to talk about present and future drainage projects.
Twelve farmers from the upper Assiniboine River valley met with four government ministers last week, for the second time, to talk about a seven-week flood that caused about 150 farmers to lose the use of about 20,000 acres of crop and pasture land.
Spokesperson Keith Pearn said the group is pleased the ministers will discuss the drainage issue. However, Pearn said the ministers have not yet recognized alleged mismanagement of the Shellmouth Dam.
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The ministers admitted outflows from the dam were slowed in February because a bridge was being built downstream in Brandon, according to Pearn. “It’s probably one reason they weren’t listening to the people near the dam saying they needed to let some more water go.”
Pearn said the agricultural land at the top of the river was “sacrificed” so that downstream cities of Brandon, Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg were not flooded. City residents would have been eligible for disaster assistance, said Pearn, so farmers should receive compensation.
