As the critic for Property and Surface Rights here in Alberta, I was troubled to hear that the livelihood of ranchers are being threatened by an unreasonable and incorrect interpretation of the Water Act.
In December, Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) sent out letters advising Albertans that water license applications submitted over 15 years ago will be rescinded and water access related to those applications revoked.
I spoke to southeast rancher Aaron Brower about the issue; he is one of the recipients of these letters.
His family have operated their ranch for generations. Brower was told his application filed in 2001 by his father was being closed because the application was deemed incomplete and his traditional access to this public asset was cancelled.
To suggest that a form filed with the government over 15 years ago is deemed invalid, with the consequence that the file is closed, is both arbitrary and outrageous. Brower made several attempts to have the issue resolved with the AEP in good faith, but AEP soundly refused forcing him to proceed with a time consuming and costly appeal to the Environmental Appeals Board.
Despite the ranch operating in the area for generations where traditional water usage was guaranteed, the NDP government is now attempting to usurp this traditional access through questionable means. It is disturbing to think that that the government did not seek a mutually agreeable solution before taking such drastic action.
Now, Brower will be paying legal fees and taking time away from his ranch to challenge the decision with the Environmental Appeals Board.
A local rancher is left without critical water access for his livestock because of repeated bureaucratic bungling by this NDP government. Albertans know that water is essential for our ranchers, for the success of their business and ability to support their families. With the stroke of a bureaucrat’s pen, a ranch that has been in continuous operation for over a century is under threat.
Unfortunately, this appears to have become a common theme in the Milk River Basin. Several Ranchers in the area have had their livelihoods threatened by an unreasonable and incorrect interpretation of the Water Act, or in the case of Brower, had their file arbitrarily closed without any consultation or attempt to find an equitable solution.
I’m not sure how deep this water access issue goes, Alberta law requires traditional agricultural water access be recognized. Water rights are just as important here in east central Alberta, whether it is Camrose, Killam, Wainwright, Vermilion, Lloydminster, Provost and all the communities that surround us.
United Conservative MLAs and I are urging anyone who have received similar letters from the AEP to contact their local MLA office.