Water Availability Engagement Open House Follow Up
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.
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