LNID CALL TO ACTION

LNID WATER USERS, PARTNERS, STAKEHOLDERS AND VENDORS,

Update: December 2, 2024:

Alberta Environment & Protected Areas (AEPA) has now rescheduled the open house, and we strongly encourage your attendance.

Date: Monday, December 9, 2024

Time: 5:30pm - 8:30pm

Location: Fort Macleod & District Community Hall Society - 301 25 St. Fort Macleod, AB T0L 0Z0 (Limited street parking available, with a larger parking lot across the street)

LNID emphasizes the importance of attending this session, as it will address the ongoing review of the Water Act. This review significantly impacts water licenses held by LNID, private irrigators, feedlots, and the entire irrigated agriculture sector.

Your voice matters in supporting AIDA and the Irrigation Districts.

To register for the event, please click here.

Thank you for your attention and participation in this critical discussion.

LETHBRIDGE NORTHERN IRRIGATION DISTRICT

Update: November 25, 2024:

Due to the recent by-election called for Lethbridge-West, the Water Availability Engagement Open House on November 28, 2024 has been cancelled. The open house has yet to be rescheduled by Alberta Environment & Protected Areas (AEPA). LNID is urging you to stay engaged and take action in the following ways:

Email epa.water@gov.ab.ca to request a reschedule of the southern Alberta in-person open house for a new date and location.
Attend the virtual open house on November 26, 2024.
If possible, travel to Red Deer to attend the in-person open house at 5:30pm on December 3, 2024.

LNID will continue to send updates regarding the engagement process as information becomes available.

Notice: November 20, 2024

All Water Users Need to Participate in AEPA Water Availability Engagement

LNID, as a member of the Alberta Irrigation Districts Association (AIDA), was notified recently by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas that they have opened a review and engagement of the Water Act. This may result in amendments affecting Water Licences for LNID, private irrigators, feedlots, and the entire irrigated agriculture sector.

We are requesting your involvement in the engagement process. This initiative needs a strong response, and so we ask LNID irrigators, and the entire irrigated agriculture sector, to step up to reinforce the work of the LNID Board and staff, AIDA, as well as our municipal and industrial partners in voicing concerns and suggestions.

What can you do?

Attend regional open houses:

Southern Alberta dates

November 26 at 6:30 pm – Southern Alberta virtual public open house

November 28 at 5:30 pm – In-person open house – Lethbridge at the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge

Central and northern Alberta dates

November 18 at 6:30 pm – Northern Alberta virtual public open house

November 21 at 5:30 pm – In-person open house – Peace River

December 3 at 5:30 pm – In-person open house – Red Deer

Complete Online Surveys:

Brief Survey

Detailed Survey

Why is this important?

There is a risk of clawback of our water licences under the misperception that we do not use our full licenced allocation.

We are responsible stewards of our licences in reducing use when supply is low and placing the needs of our communities, industry and livestock sustenance first. We should not be punished for this. Our licences are sized to allow for a high demand/ high supply year, such as using 94.9% of our licenced volume in 2001. We used 55% of our licence this year in response to low water supply in 2023 and extending into early 2024.

The Alberta government and individual irrigators have invested heavily over decades in the development, rehabilitation and modernization of irrigation storage, conveyance and on-farm irrigation infrastructure, as well as specialized equipment and facilities for value-added crop development and livestock production.

Any clawback of our water licences now or in future will reduce yield and quality potential, and potentially set up the irrigated agriculture sector for disaster. This risk extends from our irrigators to processors, seed/fertilizer/equipment suppliers, financial, insurance and other secondary services, and ultimately to the communities that grow and thrive in our region as a result of this investment.

Additional Information:

AIDA prepared a document summarizing the Provincial Water Availability Engagement and outlining key messages for the Irrigation Sector. The document has been attached to this email, and has been made available on the LNID website at this link.

Canada Post Strike - Payment Reminder

Dear Water Users,

Due to the current Canada Post strike, we want to make sure you have all the information you need to submit your payment due December 31, 2024, without any hassle.

To assist you, we’ve outlined some easy alternative payment options below:

1. Cash or Cheque Payments: may be dropped off at the LNID office at any time.

24-Hour Drop Box: Cheques can be deposited in the drop box located on the pillars just outside the LNID office doors.

Office Drop-Off: Bring your cheque directly to the office during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00 am–4:00 pm, excluding statutory holidays).

Post-Dated Cheques: Cheques can be post-dated for your preferred payment date before drop-off.

2. Electronic Payment Options:

E-Transfer: Send payments to ar@lnid.ca – Please include your account number, invoice number, or full name in the payment description.

Online Banking: Use your 5-digit account number, (located in the upper right corner of your invoice.)

Important: Any balances remaining unpaid as of January 1, 2025 will incur an 8% penalty.

If you have already mailed your payment, please note that we will honor the postmark date of Dec 31, 2024, and no January penalty will apply.

If you have already made your payment, kindly disregard this notice. However, if you have any questions, would like to confirm your account status, or need to make a payment arrangement, don’t hesitate to contact us at the office (403) 327-3302.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this time. Thank you for helping us ensure a smooth payment process.

Sincerely,

Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District

No Hunting on District Property

The district administration would like to remind all residents and visitors that hunting of any kind is strictly prohibited on district land. This prohibition is in place to ensure the safety of all individuals on district land, as well as to protect the natural habitat and wildlife within the area.

The prohibition on hunting includes, but is not limited to, the use of firearms, bows and arrows, traps, and any other devices used to capture or kill animals. This prohibition applies to all individuals, regardless of whether they are residents of the district or not.

Any individuals found to be hunting on district land will be asked to leave the area immediately and may be subject to legal action. The district administration takes this matter very seriously and will take all necessary measures to enforce this prohibition.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping to maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for all on district land. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the district administration. Thank you for your understanding and compliance.

News

LNID CALL TO ACTION: All Water Users Need to Participate in AEPA Water Availability Engagement

Announcements

Participate in Oldman Watershed Council Producer Consultation Events

Transfer of Irrigation Acres & Alternate Parcel Agreements

Participate in “Water Sustainability in Alberta’s Agriculture through Digitalization”

Water Shut Off 2024 Preparations

Payment Information for the 2024 Irrigation Season

CBC Calgary "The Eyeopener" - Home for Harvest

Important Notices

LNID CALL TO ACTION

What can you do?

Why is this important?

Additional Information:

Canada Post Strike - Payment Reminder

No Hunting on District Property

Publications

Oldman River Reservoir Information

2023 Annual Report

2022 District Newsletter

2022 Annual Report

Yearly Publications

Other Publications