File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Noble Creek

City to let grant applications determine future of Noble Creek Irrigation System

Dec 8, 2020 | 2:45 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops council has given itself more than a year to determine next steps for the Noble Creek Irrigation System (NCIS).

Last month, council decided against going forward with a $14 million new water distribution system after the nearly 50 users protested that the proposal to pass on 80 per cent of the cost could kill their farms.

Tuesday (Dec. 8), staff convinced council to let the pursuit of grant funding determine next steps.

There are three options for the City of Kamloops around the future of the NCIS: complete the $14 million project, complete enough work to allow the system to be sold to the farmers or help users find another irrigation water source.

Staff will research and apply for grants from the provincial and federal governments that would allow them to pursue one or more of those options, which would dictate what staff would recommend to council next.

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In the meantime, the City will continue to operate the NCIS, while using $1.7 million to complete necessary short-term upgrades. Users will eat 15 per cent annual rate increases in order to pay off the City’s operating deficit for the system.

This arrangement will be in place until the end of September, 2023.

If City staff are not successful in securing grants, the issue will come back to council for further direction during the first quarter of 2022.