HOW TO MAKE WATER A CONSISTENT PRAIRIE ASSET? Thunder storms pounded the Regina area this past weekend with more wind and heavy rain. Property damage was significant in places like White City as severe prairie weather patterns continue. In late June, extraordinary rainfall flooded southeastern Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba. Farmland was inundated. Much of the oil patch was rendered inaccessible. Roads, bridges and other public infrastructure were damaged. Many homes and businesses were severely impaired. The losses will tally hundreds of millions of dollars. All this follows the most costly inundation in Canadian history just last year in southern Alberta and previous large floods across the eastern prairies in 2011. Prior to that, 2009 was a drought year in Alberta and Saskatchewan, while Manitoba had floods. The period from 2000 to 2004 was reported to be the driest across the West in 800 years. When youre talking about water, nothing is more vital to prairie life and livelihoods. Its extremely variable, from far too much of it to far too little, and getting more so with the compounding impacts of climate change. Its highly controversial and expensive. And it affects everyone, including every type and level of government. When youre in the midst of those debilitating drought years, its frustrating to think of years like this one when too much water surged across the countryside without much apparent planning, control, forecasting or even last minute warnings. And that frustration works in the opposite direction too. So what can be done to improve our knowledge of these water cycles from flood to drought and back again? Are they becoming more extreme and frequent as part of climate change? What should be done to better predict significant weather patterns and provide the public with timely warnings of whats coming? Are we using the best weather radar technology? Is the network comprehensive? Are we up-to-date or behind the curve on forecasting floods? Is the most effective public infrastructure in place to withstand increasingly violent weather patterns? What about on-farm drainage issues? Are the rules sufficient and clear? Are landowners following those rules? Does enforcement need to be strengthened? Should some land use incentives be developed? Where do natural wetlands fit into our prairie-wide eco-system? What role do they play in flood mitigation? Are they being debilitated? Should all governments be working better together, and in cooperation with the private sector, on a comprehensive water strategy for the prairies - to better understand, conserve, manage and develop our precious water resources? Can we channel and save flood waters more constructively? What new water infrastructure would that take? Why has the uptake on the original vision for Gardiner Dam and Lake Diefenbaker been so limited? Is there more genuine potential for irrigation and water-based economic development? What about water quality and community water security - especially for rural, remote and Aboriginal communities? Why did the Government of Canada eliminate the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration which had, over 75 years, earned a sterling reputation as one of the worlds pre-eminent authorities in water management, conservation, development and flood control? What would a modern PFRA look like to help fit the needs of the 21st century? How best can all governments collaborate? These are just a few of many vital questions about water risks and benefits, and related public policy considerations. To begin a constructive dialogue about these issues, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau will be in Saskatoon later this week to meet with water experts from the University of Saskatchewan, as well as farm leaders and some of those who previously led PFRA. The Government of Canada has a useful role to play. Justin wants to ensure we get it right.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 14:34:41 +0000
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