I am responding to Rural Municipality of Churchbridge reeve Neil Mehrer’s April 14, 2011 article: Balance needed between farms, wetlands, and Brian Cross’s article April 21, 2011: Residents blame agriculture drainage for floods.
These issues have affected my husband and I for 13 years. The Saskatchewan government and Saskatchewan Watershed Authority are allowing the farmers of Saskatchewan to drain every drop of water without any regard to the damage and heartbreak it brings. It is costing all of us financially and destroying friendships. We know that the Watershed Authority has piles of complaints on this issue – written and verbal.
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My husband and I are always faced with the flooding and erosion of our property because of unauthorized ditching southwest, west, northwest and north of us. We are faced with future loss of road access to our cattle one-half mile east of us.
The beaver/wetland issue that Mr. Mehrer discussed is an issue for all of us. We are draining wetlands out and filling neighbours’ property and wetlands along the eastern border. The beaver population is exploding. Ducks Unlimited does not need to help. For seven years my husband has asked for about five new culverts to be installed to stop the flooding and erosion. He has been denied more than a dozen times.
We the people of Saskatchewan and Manitoba would like to know if the legal and unregulated drainage is causing flooding of roads and property. Do we need to drain Saskatchewan?
My husband and I have talked to farm couples. They are tired of flooded property, being bullied, and not having their voices heard. Change is needed now. Look to The Pas, Man., for good drainage practices.
With regards and admiration for our Canadian farmers, and flooding victims.
Barbara Onofreychuk,MacNutt, Sask.
