MD of Taber approves BRID project investigation budget

By Jared Vas
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The MD of Taber council held an additional meeting on July 11 to advance a proposed irrigation project with the Bow River Irrigation District (BRID), approving funds, formalizing a partnership, and agreeing to begin communication with leaseholders.

Nearly the entire meeting was held in closed session, primarily to discuss the BRID irrigation project, with an additional agenda item concerning the Deadhorse Reservoir.

The MD of Taber made three key decisions, all unanimously approved by councillors present.

First, council approved allocating $51,500 from the Major Projects Reserve to cover the municipality’s share of planning costs for the joint irrigation project with BRID.

Second, the MD will complete a draft partnership agreement with BRID, incorporating current understandings and feedback, for review by both the MD council and the Bow River Irrigation Board.

Third, the MD committed to informing current leaseholders about the details and progress of the proposed project, though no timeline or specific communication plan was disclosed.

Leaseholders have expressed concern about proposed changes being discussed behind closed doors.

Chris Siemens, president of the Hays Stock Grazing Association and an irrigation farmer, raised concerns at a public land management meeting.

“There are closed session proposals about major changes to the lease use of land going from a native or tame dry pasture where cow-calf pairs graze to breaking it for cultivation with pivots and irrigation, and that represents a really big change in the use of the MD’s lands. I think that needs to be an open process sooner rather than later.”

Siemens asserted that the BRID and the MD of Taber are going ahead with the project despite the lack of public communication.

“All the legwork’s already been done. They have been soil testing out there; they’re putting shovels in the ground. I’m not necessarily opposed to progress, but let’s have some open discussion about it,” he said.

At the same meeting, Reeve Tamara Miyanaga addressed concerns over closed discussions.

“BRID and MD of Taber Council are going to be having a discussion. The only motion we have on the books is to investigate,” she said. “Because it involves intergovernmental relations and land, those are provisions to move into closed session.”

Attending the July 11 meeting in person were Councillors Brian G. Hildebrand, John DeGroot, and Reeve Miyanaga, Councillors Merrill Harris and Chantal Claassen joined online. Councillors Murray Reynolds and John Turcato were absent.

Several representatives from BRID were also present.

This meeting indicates the MD of Taber is moving forward seriously with the BRID project, dedicating funds and formalizing partnerships.