Heat, drought forces province to issue new fish protection orders in Thompson-Okanagan
Effective Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023, approximately 398 surface and groundwater licence holders in the lower Salmon River and Bessette Creek area must stop using water for forage crops, including grass for hay, alfalfa and forage corn.
As extreme draught conditions continue to impact the Thompson-Okanagan region, low stream flows in Salmon River and Bessette Creek are beginning to threaten the survival of Chinook populations as they enter their annual migration season.
The new fish population protection order falls under the Water Sustainability Act and aims to restore water flow levels to avoid significant or irreversible harm to aquatic ecosystems. However, the new restrictions will not affect water usage for market vegetables, livestock watering or water used for domestic purposes.
Affected farmers will be offered access to programs such as the federal-provincial AgriStability program, which provides financial assistance to producers. Farmers who have declared farm income for tax purposes are eligible for late enrolment onto the AgriStability program, which closed applications on April 30.
Through the new Access to Feed program, the BC Cattlemen’s Association will match BC farmers with sellers of hay and feed across Canada and the western United States to avoid further impact on people and businesses.
Irrigation of forage crops is one of the most water-intensive agricultural water uses. However, the order may be revoked if water flows recover.
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