PRRD to send letter to B.C. government ministers about water availability concerns 

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) board voted in favour of sending a letter to a few B.C. government ministers at its March 21st board meeting on concerns over water availability for agricultural purposes. 

The letter will be addressed to Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship; Pam Alexis, Minister of Agriculture and Foods; and Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests.

At a committee meeting on March 14th, electoral area directors agreed to refer the letter to the board after discussing projected drought conditions this year, which showed low snowpack and minimal runoff.

The snowpack in the province remains low, with an average of 66 per cent compared to 91 per cent last year.

The average snowpack in the Peace region is 70 per cent as of March 1st, 2024. 

According to the government’s drought information portal, the Peace region experienced some high drought levels from June to November 2023.  Drought conditions in the Peace region are expected to be similar this year.

A report to the board says the conditions will affect agriculture producers such as cattle grazers and other livestock farmers. 

The report also provided a water scarcity response plan for the province, which can be viewed below: