Due to dry conditions in the Peace Region, the Government of Alberta is waiving the rental fees, retroactive to January 1, for Peace Region producers who used the province’s Emergency Water Pumping Program.
More than 200 Peace Region producers used that program, which allowed them to rent aluminum pipe and pumps from the department of Agriculture and Rural Development to fill dugouts or other suitable basins from nearby water sources. The total cost of reimbursing the rental fees is expected to be approximately $150,000. Producers will be contacted by an Alberta Agriculture representative.
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Producers in the Peace Region can also apply for the Peace River Water Hauling Program that the government is offering this winter. The program will provide for a third of eligible costs to a maximum of $5,000 to haul water for agriculture use between January 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011. Application forms are available online and the deadline to apply for the program is April 7, 2011.
The Growing Forward Water Management Program is also available and provides technical assistance and support for developing water sources at the farm level. Program payment is based on one-third of eligible project costs to a maximum of $5,000 per eligible producer.
“In addition to the programs that provide short-term solutions to water access, my department is also working with affected municipalities on longer term solutions to regional water supplies,” said Agriculture Minister Jack Hayden. “We want to assist producers in meeting these challenges head on.”
The municipal districts eligible for the program include: Big Lakes, Birch Hills, Clear Hills, Fairview, Grande Prairie, Greenview, Northern Lights, Northern Sunrise, Peace, Saddle Hills, Smoky River and Spirit River.
