WHEREAS irrigation rights to landowners were given out years ago; and

WHEREAS many of the original grantees have retired, died, or in fact rarely if ever irrigated under their license to irrigate;

BE IT RESOLVED that after five years unused irrigation rights be repurposed to allow new projects to proceed under lapsed licenses; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Water Security Agency review its hold on new irrigation projects in the Old Wives Lake basin and allow reasonable projects to go forward.

RESPONSE FROM THE SASKATCHEWAN WATER SECURITY AGENCY

The WSA is aware there are situations where water rights are held by individuals but, for various reasons, are not being used. In accordance with the 25 Year Water Security Plan, the WSA is developing new water management legislation that will also address the issue of unused water rights.

The 1980s saw the rapid development of projects around some of the smaller reservoirs in the Old Wives Lake basin that resulted in a backlog of applicants interested in irrigation development. A period of drought caused Old Wives Lake to dry up in 1987-88.  New physical works were then developed to improve inflow to Old Wives Lake and a temporary hold on new irrigation development was established.

The Old Wives Lake basin is not closed to new irrigation development as water is available at certain locations.  However, the WSA has not received any recent expressions of interest for development  of new irrigation projects.  Proponents wishing to develop new projects inthe Old Wives Lake basin should submit applications for approval to the WSA for review.  These applications will be subject to the normal regulatory review process and will be assessed to ensure the water supply is able to support the intended use.

The WSA is aware there are situations where water rights are held by individuals but, for various reasons, are not being used. In accordance with the 25 Year Water Security Plan, the WSA is developing new water management legislation that will also address the issue of unused water rights.

The 1980s saw the rapid development of projects around some of the smaller reservoirs in the Old Wives Lake basin that resulted in a backlog of applicants interested in irrigation development. A period of drought caused Old Wives Lake to dry up in 1987-88.  New physical works were then developed to improve inflow to Old Wives Lake and a temporary hold on new irrigation development was established.

The Old Wives Lake basin is not closed to new irrigation development as water is available at certain locations. However, the WSA has not received any recent expressions of interest for development  of new irrigation projects. Proponents wishing to develop new projects inthe Old Wives Lake basin should submit applications for approval to the WSA for review.  These applications will be subject to the normal regulatory review process and will be assessed to ensure the water supply is able to support the intended use.