RED DEER – Alberta’s general farm organization wants a permanent farm
water development project fund.
The Wild Rose Agricultural Producers Association passed a resolution at
its annual meeting asking the provincial government to provide a
permanent program that helps cover the cost of new dugouts, wells and
pipeline projects.
A $35 million program announced last spring paid for one-third of
development costs, to a maximum of $5,000 per producer, for eligible
water supply projects.
Farmers had to apply for the program. Projects must be completed by
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March 31 and the deadline for submitting applications for a rebate is
May 31.
Approved applicants must include a long-term water supply management
plan to Alberta Agriculture.
Another resolution asked the province to extend the Dec. 31 deadline
for registering water wells and dugouts.
Wild Rose vice-president Keith Degenhardt said it is estimated only
about one third of farmers have registered their water sources.
“There was not enough information regarding this program,” he said.
“People were unaware of the program.”
Registration of traditional agriculture water use is required when up
to 6,250 cubic metres of water per year is used for raising animals or
applying pesticides to crops.
