One of Canada’s leading experts on fresh water management says political leaders need to review laws and regulations that govern water use in the country. John Pomeroy, the Canada Research Chair in Water Resources and Climate Change, says federal and provincial water laws need to be updated to ensure that Canada is prepared for pressing […] Read more
Tag Archives water management
‘Bold vision’ needed for water management: Goodale
Cabinet minister says Ottawa plans to spend more than $25 billion over 12 years for ‘green infrastructure’ projects
Ralph Goodale, the only Liberal MP from Saskatchewan, says it’s time for the provinces to get more serious about managing the country’s fresh water resources. Speaking Aug. 13 to delegates at the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage conference in Saskatoon, Goodale said water management experts and provincial decision makers need to work together to […] Read more
Water management called major challenge for world
The most productive agricultural regions around the world are working to improve yields in the face of changing climate and disappearing groundwater, said a world-leading American water scientist. “We use more water (annually) than is available to us in many parts of the world. So, we’re making up the difference from groundwater,” said Jay Famiglietti, […] Read more
Minister reassures Alta. producers over water licences
One producer is not satisfied with response and is continuing his appeal of earlier decision to close his water licences
Confusion over the status of farmers’ and ranchers’ water licences in southern Alberta continues to simmer, prompting a response from the environment minister last week. Alberta Environment is reviewing more than 1,000 water licences in the South Saskatchewan River watershed region, some of them long standing. The review raised fears about potential licence cancellation, which […] Read more
B.C. seeks input on livestock water use rules
The British Columbia government is seeking public comments on its livestock water regulations by Feb. 16. The proposed regulations within the province’s Water Sustainability Act, which was passed in 2016, are meant to clarify livestock water use and development on crown range and private land. In addition, the proposal allows for livestock watering use on […] Read more
Oldman Watershed Council focuses on public relations
Southern Alberta’s Oldman Watershed Council is hoping to conscript farmers and ranchers in an ongoing quest to tell consumers about water, food production and good management. OWC executive director Shannon Frank told those at the recent Alberta Irrigation Projects Association meeting that “a global implosion of trust” has affected the public view of agriculture, and […] Read more
Water Cannon blasts 2,000 gallons per minute
LANGHAM, Sask. — Large-scale drainage of prairie sloughs and potholes can cause serious flooding issues downstream. Hydrologists concerned with soil moisture depletion say most remaining wetlands cannot be economically drained, nor should they be. However, a dozen or more shallow little nuisance ponds scattered across a half-section field affect not only seeding operations but also […] Read more
Water legislation passed in Sask.
The legislation to support Saskatchewan’s agricultural water management strategy has passed third reading in the legislature. Bill 44 was passed without amendment and paves the way for the creation of two advisory boards in place of the Water Appeal Board. One board will provide advice on policy development and the other will be a technical […] Read more
Conservation districts under-used
How are you using your local conservation district? Or let’s rephrase: are you using your conservation district? The Red River Basin is fortunate to have a great presence from our conservation districts throughout North Dakota, Minnesota and Manitoba. Conservation districts are local units of government required by law to carry out natural resource management programs. […] Read more
Alta. watershed programs lose gov’t funding
Watershed stewardship programs will not receive funds through an Alberta government grant program this year. The program has been running since 2006 and in that time had allocated $1.8 million for 127 community based watershed groups. However, the Land Stewardship Centre, which redistributes the provincial grant money to groups that apply, learned at the end […] Read more
