Looking at the low water levels in Diefenbaker Lake, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) calling for impact assessments on the proposed multibillion dollar irrigation project at the lake.
FSIN said the projects have the potential to have widespread devastating impacts on soils, water availability and quality, but they say they have been no provincial or federal impact assessments.
FSIN vice-chief Heather Bear said the First Nations’ inherent and treaty rights to fish, hunt, trap and gather “could be significantly diminished if proper consultation and accommodation is not undertaken on the project and many others within the province.”
A late melt from the mountains in Alberta is partially to blame for the lack of water in the lake. Nearby, the Riverhurst Ferry has been unable to move due to the lack of water in the area.
