A new policy and procedure that speeds approvals for minor water-control work on farmland is now in place, Water Stewardship Minister Christine Melnick announced.
“This fulfils the recommendations from the Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board and the ombudsman to bring in licensing of minor drainage work and to simplify the licensing process,” Melnick said. “Our focus this fall will be to inform landowners of the new procedures and to assist them through the process.”
Manitoba Water Stewardship has 23 staff located across the province who can provide licences and assist landowners to meet the requirements of the Water Rights Act. There are also six new offices in rural Manitoba to meet the need for the licences.
Water-control work includes installation of or changes to dikes, dams, drains, culverts and waterways. Such work that is minor in nature and is unlikely to cause any impact may now be licensed through a new expedited process.
Once granted, the minor works licence does not need to be renewed by the landowner or future landowners to maintain the work. Projects that are not considered minor must still go through a more formal approvals process.
Development of this new policy was undertaken in consultation with stakeholder groups including Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, the Manitoba Cattle Producers Association and members of the Manitoba Conservation Districts Association.
“One of the benefits for producers is that they will have to apply only once for a licence for a minor drainage project that doesn’t affect downstream properties,” said Ian Wishart, president of KAP. “We will work with Manitoba Water Stewardship to monitor the process and ensure that all producers are being treated fairly.”
