December 13, 2024
Good Morning LNID Water Users, Vendors, Stakeholders and Partners,
LNID would like to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who attended the Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA) Water Availability Engagement Open House in Fort MacLeod on Monday. Our collective voices play a vital role in protecting our water licences, and it was encouraging to have such a strong turnout at the event.
December 9, 2024
Good Morning LNID Water Users, Partners, Stakeholders, and Vendors,
The LNID Board of Directors and leadership will be attending the Southern Alberta Water Availability Engagement Open House today. I am calling on you to join us in Fort MacLeod.
December 2, 2024
LNID WATER USERS, PARTNERS, STAKEHOLDERS, AND VENDORS…
Update: December 2, 2024
October 31, 2024
Good Morning LNID Water Users,
Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) is looking for participants!
October 24, 2024
TRANSFER OF IRRIGATION ACRES
(Irrigation Districts Act, Section 26)
October 24, 2024
The University of Calgary Simpson Centre’s Policy Lab is looking for participants for their “Water Sustainability in Alberta’s Agriculture through Digitalization” initiative. The initiative will include three (3) sessions over the next two (2) years. They are looking for participants from agriculture to collaborate with representatives from other sectors to shape policies. This would include bringing forward ideas and opinions on digital agriculture technologies, data privatization, and a willingness to share data.
If any LNID water users are interested or have questions, please email lnid@telus.net.
October 7, 2024
The water shut off date for the 2024 irrigation season is set for Friday, October 11. During the week of October 7 to October 11, 2024, levels and flows in the canals will be reduced in preparation of shutting down the system. Depending on where you are in the system, the level in the canal may be too low for you to get water delivery. Please ensure that all pond fills are completed as soon as possible. For water orders in this final week, please give your Water Coordinator at least 24-hours notice. Your Water Coordinator will let you know if delivery is possible.
LNID WATER USERS, PARTNERS, STAKEHOLDERS AND VENDORS,
Update: December 13, 2024:
LNID would like to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who attended the Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (AEPA) Water Availability Engagement Open House in Fort MacLeod on Monday. Our collective voices play a vital role in protecting our water licences, and it was encouraging to have such a strong turnout at the event.
LNID received and shared your concerns on the engagement format with AEPA, MLA Joseph Schow (who met in person with irrigation districts) and MLA Grant Hunter (who attended the open house). These concerns included the absence of a formal presentation, limited opportunities for meaningful conversation on AEPA’s intentions, and insufficient consideration of the potential impacts to the irrigation sector.
MLA Schow thankfully referred these concerns to Minister Rebecca Schulz and we received this response. This is the first written assurance we have received that AEPA is not looking at scaling back licences. They will be meeting our irrigators and stakeholders in person prior to moving forward on recommendations coming from the Water Availability Engagement process. Although we need to continue to hold AEPA and Minister Schulz accountable, it appears we will have the opportunity to be heard. We anticipate a Town Hall or similar event to be hosted by the Minister in Lethbridge early in the new year.
For those who couldn’t join us in person at the open house – or if you have additional comments for AEPA – please consider:
1) Sending an email to AEPA directly at epa.water@gov.ab.ca with your concerns or feedback.
2) Completing one of the following surveys:
LNID will continue to keep you updated as the Water Availability Engagement process continues.
Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District
Update: December 9, 2024:
The LNID Board of Directors and leadership will be attending the Southern Alberta Water Availability Engagement Open House today. I am calling on you to join us in Fort MacLeod.
Event Details:
Date: Monday, December 9, 2024
Time: 5:30pm – 8:00pm
Location: Fort MacLeod & District Community Hall Society (301 – 25 St Fort MacLeod, AB T0L 0Z0)
Registration: To register for the event (not required), or to learn more, please click here.
The irrigation sector was not consulted adequately and there is a risk that Alberta Environment and Protected Areas may claw back our water licences. Alberta Irrigation Districts Association has written a white paper that provides 13 suggestions to improve water availability. Here are four key issues for quick reference:
1. We already share the available water.
The LNID Board sets and adjusts water allocations every year, using only the water available in the system. Legislated river flows, human use and livestock sustenance come first.
2. We need our full licenced volume.
In 2001 LNID used 94.9% of our licenced volume and we will use 100% in a high supply, high demand year.
3. We value our investment in irrigation.
The Alberta Government, irrigation districts and our farmers have invested billions of dollars in irrigation infrastructure to efficiently capture and convey water for irrigation. Any cut in our licences will strand assets and send us backwards in our expansion planning.
4. We support water for future economic development, including irrigated agriculture.
LNID supports water licence holders working with our municipal neighbours and others to provide water for other purposes without negatively impacting our irrigators. This should not require government overreach, but rather a free-market system that encourages connecting willing buyers and sellers. As a start, remove the Water Conservation Holdbacks that taxes water licence transfers.
The strength and reliability of irrigated agriculture is the foundation of southern Alberta’s prosperity. Your attendance will help reinforce this fact, and to advise Alberta Environment and Protected Areas to avoid any changes that would put irrigation water licences in jeopardy.
We hope to see you there.
Sincerely,
Chris Gallagher, P.Eng.
General Manager
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:
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.
Attend regional open houses:
Southern Alberta dates
Central and northern Alberta dates
Complete Online Surveys:
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.
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.
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.
2. Electronic Payment Options:
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
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.
Information used in the Water Supply Update as of July 31, 2024.
Annual report prepared by the Board of Directors. This report outlines the operational and financial state of the district and provides details about the district's current projects and infrastructure.
The District Newsletter provides water users with a synopsis of information that is relevant to them.
Annual report prepared by the Board of Directors. This report outlines the operational and financial state of the district and provides details about the district's current projects and infrastructure.