DETAILS ANNOUNCED FOR WATER PROGRAM

The Government of Saskatchewan released the details of the $6 million Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP) today.

Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud said the program will cover three distinct needs in Southwest Saskatchewan - emergency water supplies for short term demands, permanent on-farm water supplies and the establishment of wells to serve farmers and ranchers over the long term.

"The intent of the program is to help lessen the impact of drought by providing a secure water source for Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers," Bjornerud said. "The emergency component will provide some immediate access to water while permanent projects, such as wells and pasture pipelines are being developed. I extend my thanks to the FRWIP Producer Advisory Committee that has provided direction on the design of this program."

The emergency funding is a one-time measure to provide immediate assistance in areas of critical water shortage. Funds provide cost-sharing to Rural Municipalities (RMs) in designated drought areas to cover up to one-half of eligible project costs, to a maximum of $10,000 per project.

Projects may include; pumps in reservoirs or other water supplies, temporary tank-loader facilities and alternate use of existing wells and other surface water initiatives. The application deadline is June 17, 2008.

"Many communities in the Southwest are struggling to supply water to farmers and ranchers, and this is putting a strain on their current infrastructure," Producer Advisory Committee member and Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities president David Marit said. "We wanted an approach that met both short-term and long-term needs."

The program has two other on-going components beyond the emergency funding; an on-farm component for wells and buried pipelines, and a community well component. The on-farm component will provide a cost-sharing grant to cover up to one-half of eligible costs, while the community well component provides a cost-sharing grant to cover up to two-thirds of eligible costs.

These two components are focused on providing a top-up to community wells or on-farm projects approved under the Canada-Saskatchewan Water Supply Expansion Program (CSWSEP). To apply for these components, participants must complete a CSWSEP application and return it to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada/Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration by the May 30, 2008 deadline.

The Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program is targeted at farmers, ranchers and RMs in the designated drought area.

RMs adjacent to the drought-designated area and south of the South Saskatchewan River may ask for their RM to be included in the program. To be considered, an RM will have to provide weather data, representative of the entire RM, showing that the RM experienced drought conditions in 2007.

To initiate such a request, or to get more information about the program, call toll-free 1-877-874-5365.

All Saskatchewan producers and RMs continue to be eligible for assistance under the CSWSEP program for the development of water supplies.

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For more information, contact:

Jenna Robertson
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359
Email: jenna.robertson@gov.sk.ca