Report aims to resolve farmer vs. farmer drainage disputes
CBC News | Posted: November 13, 2014 5:51 PM | Last Updated: November 13, 2014
Tougher rules for 'high risk' drainage discussed
People are telling the Saskatchewan government that farmers should have to get permission for "high risk" drainage that sends water into their neighbour's property.
However, on smaller drainage problems, many think certificates or licensing would be the wrong way to go.
Those are of some of the findings of a public consultation about drainage released by the province Thursday.
During years when there are flooding problems, drainage has emerged as a source of major disputes between rural neighbours.
Some landowners desperately need to get water off their land so they can seed their crops, but sending their water downstream often creates problems for somebody else.
That's why the proposal to set up a system of drainage licences is appealing to some. Others are worried about red tape and argue that only "high risk" drainage should require official permission.
"High risk" can include things such as large quantities of water, water contaminated with farm chemicals, or drainage close to sensitive environmental areas.
One of the concerns raised in the Saskatchewan report is drainage of wetlands that are commonly used by migratory birds.
The provincial government says it will use the results of the consultation report to draft new drainage regulations.