An Alberta feedlot operator says the great development potential in the irrigated region around Outlook won’t be realized unless changes are made to the permitting process.
Namaka Farms of Strathmore bought land for a 36,000 head feedlot south of Broderick in 2007 after consulting with the RM council.
The first cattle are expected for feeding in January 2021, Stuart Thiessen of the family feedlot told the Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association conference in Moose Jaw.
“It took us five years to get our development permit through. Guys, that’s way too long.”
Opposition to the project “blamed us for everything” from draining Lake Diefenbaker to damaging roads.
A farmer who was outbid by Namaka for land threatened to hurt them, and he did, almost convincing the RM to make Namaka pay for an $8 million road upgrade. The matter was only settled six months ago.
Councillors were great, said Thiessen, but the problem was at the municipal level with poorly written bylaws and confusion over who sets environmental standards.
“The bylaws were weak” with vague wording. “Weak bylaws give lawyers lots and lots of ammunition” playing on words.
“Your small municipalities make it very, very difficult to write good bylaws. You guys can’t afford to write good bylaws on a shoestring.”
Confusion came over whether the RM council, or anther agency could set environmental standards, said Thiessen, an engineer with praise for Saskatchewan environmental standards.
He urged authorities to put as much certainty in the process as possible.
Unable to expand the 25,000 head feedlot in Alberta over protests from the acreage owners dominating the county, they looked around.
Water rights must be acquired from another user in Alberta too.
“Why we built in Outlook is the certainty of the water, water for cattle and silage and productive land to haul manure” along with topography, roads and infrastructure and a site near a population centre.
“When we finally got all of our approvals, we weren’t in a position to actually grow. We had lost our momentum. We had guys who wanted to move to Saskatchewan. After five years they had girlfriends, they got married.”
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
