Dam review funding approved for SE Alberta

Commentator/Courier

The provincial and federal governments in conjunction with the Canadian Agricultural Partnership are assisting with the Eastern Irrigation District by providing $100,000 in funding for a dam safety review, as per an announcement on July 31.
The partnership’s Emergency Preparedness Program will fund the project and will help the district with information about how to improve safety and reduce the risk of dam failure.
Improvement through the review includes the emergency preparedness capacity of industry and regional authorities.
The information provided will allow the district to respond effectively to emergencies that could threaten irrigation infrastructures, negatively impact animal and human health, threaten crops and significant economic loss.
“Farmers in the Prairies always stand to benefit when governments come together to get behind some really important water infrastructure projects. This collaborative investment will help ensure that our farmers and ranchers in the eastern irrigation district continue to have access to the water they need to keep putting their good, high-quality food on the tables of Canadians,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
Agricultiural and Forestry Minister Devin Dreeshen thinks the funding will provide tremendous opportunity for southern Alberta.
“Irrigation creates tremendous economic opportunities in southern Alberta. Funding through the partnership will allow the district to have an engineering inspection done to assess the condition of a major canal. This information will provide a better understanding of the risks of a canal failure and the potential impacts to downstream residents and businesses. Alberta’s government is making strategic investments to build and strengthen our economy, said Dreeshen.
The dam review will ensure the best practices are in place now and for the future according to Medicine Hat-Brooks MLA Michala Glasgo.
“Albertans rely on water to live, work and play. This dam review is important because it will ensure the best practices are in place now, and for years to come. Irrigation feeds our livestock, waters our crops and provides animal habitats and recreational areas,” said Glasgo.
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial government.
Programs and activities are focused on growing trade and expanding markets, innovative and sustainable growth of the sector and supporting diversity and a dynamic, evolving sector
As for Alberta, a $406 million federal-provincial investment has been committed over five years

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