Originally Posted By: Stan
Originally Posted By: Last Dollar
I am not sure what you mean by "holdouts"? Our family, farmers, ranchers "bailed out" a fairly long time ago as the Uncles saw the handwriting vis the water problems. One to Australia. two to Alberta.


I'm not buying that as being the sole reason for leaving America. There's too many places you can farm, and irrigate, in the USA without the "threat" of water shutoffs. And yes, I'm well aware of the potential water supply problems facing American farmers.

SRH




Water licenses for farming operations have existed in the Province of Alberta since the 1920's.

As of 2005 the Provincial Government of Alberta put a moratorium on water licenses in the South Saskatchewan River Basin and I believe throughout the rest of Alberta. No new water licenses will be issued. That area holds the most of the farming and irrigation land. From that time on if you wanted a water license you had to barter and buy from another who was willing to sell. As a land developer in the area I have been involved in a few major water license sales and purchases. Sales for an acre/foot can range up to $10,000 and a host of restrictions.

If you come to Alberta looking to farm on land that needs water for irrigation or cattle the land purchase had better come with a water license or you can forget it. You simply cannot purchase enough water for those kinds of operations within the tributary you are seeking.

I was involved in a seminar held by the Province of Alberta and they were seriously contemplating that rain water as soon as it hit a grounded object i.e. a building, or the ground would become Provincial water. The legal ramifications soon became apparent and they deceased in that direction.

Don't mean to highjack the thread, just putting facts straight. Don't come to Alberta thinking water is free.

Last edited by Tamid; 01/09/18 10:17 PM.
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