Bylaws/Policy

Our bylaws and policies.

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EID Bylaws and Policies

Bylaws

Bylaws are the statutory rules created by a Board in accordance with the powers granted or delegated to it under the Irrigation Districts Act. Any bylaws must be given 3 readings by the Board before it is passed.

Policies

Policies are procedures approved by the Board which provide a framework and guidance for management and staff in performing their operational and administrative responsibilities. Policies also provide information regarding applicable criteria and factors relating to operations and applications.

Please scroll down the page to view the District's Bylaws and Policies.


EID Board Powers and Governance Summary

The Irrigation Districts Act , RSA 2000, c. l-11 (the ”Act”) provides for the formation, governance and operation of the Eastern Irrigation District (the “EID”) in order that the management and delivery of water within the district occurs in an efficient manner that provides for the needs of its users. The purposes of the EID include conveying and delivering water in accordance with the Act, diverting and using water in accordance with the terms of its water licenses, constructing, operating and maintaining its irrigation works, and maintaining and promoting the economic viability of the district.

In carrying out its purposes, an irrigation district has the capacity and, subject to the Act and the regulations and bylaws created under the Act, the rights, powers and privileges of a natural person.

The Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation has ministerial powers within the Act to ensure an irrigation district has a board of directors. Under the Act, a board of directors is initially appointed by the Minister and then is authorized to govern an irrigation district by enacting bylaws, passing resolutions and adopting policies. The Minister can, in certain circumstances, exercise powers to fill vacancies on a board as well as dismiss and replace a board. Section 176 of the Act also provides a list of matters for which the Minister may make regulations under the Act, which includes establishing land classification standards, prescribing forms for purposes of the Act and conducting and holding plebiscites.

The Minister also appoints the Irrigation Council whose powers and duties include: making recommendations to the Minister; monitoring the operations and financial performance of irrigation districts; granting approval for an irrigation district to expend money under a cost-sharing agreement; and acting as an appellate body for matters specified in the Act.

Parts 2 and 3 of the Act provide for the initial appointment of an irrigation district board of directors (a “Board”), and additional matters of Board governance which includes provisions for determining the number of members to sit on a Board, eligibility of members to sit on a Board, removal and resignation of Board members, holding of annual meetings, and elections for members wishing to sit on a Board. Members of the Board are to also adhere to the standards of conduct as outlined in their adopted Code of Conduct. Click HERE to view the Code of Conduct.

The Act also imposes mandatory requirements for, and creates discretionary powers in favor of, a Board to create bylaws relating to its governance as well as other commercial and operational matters. A bylaw is established by a Board in accordance with the powers granted or delegated to it under the Act. Bylaws are essentially the statutory rules created by a Board in accordance with the powers granted or delegated to it under the Act. For certain matters, such as transferring a water license or changing the expansion limit, the Board must obtain approval of the irrigators by plebiscite.

In addition to various sections throughout the Act which establish a Board and provide powers in favor of the Board to make bylaws, there is a broad list of mandatory and discretionary type Board bylaws located at section 177 of the Act. Some of the mandatory bylaws deal with establishing rates for parcels with irrigation acres, governing quorum and voting procedures at Board meetings, prescribing election dates and governing the elections of officers of the Board. Some of the bylaws which allow the EID Board to exercise discretionary powers include governing the delivery and distribution of water to users, establishing various charges, surcharges and fees, establishing a fiscal year, authorizing the borrowing of money, governing the appointment of Board committees, governing the duties of a chair of the Board, and governing the duties and powers of a district manager. Section 177 also provides any bylaws which are to be passed must be given 3 readings before its final passing.

From time to time the EID Board may also provide direction to the district manager for EID management and staff to research, evaluate and prepare information on policies and procedures for Board consideration and approval prior to such policies and procedures (the “Policies”) being implemented by management and staff. These Policies not only provide a framework and guidance for management and staff in performing their operational and administrative responsibilities but also provide information to irrigators, water users, grazing association members and other stakeholders regarding applicable criteria and factors relating to EID operations and applications submitted for EID consideration.

A Bylaw Governing the Appointment of the Grazing Advisory Committee.



Click to view bylaw.

Being A Bylaw To Impose A Capital Assets Charge On Parcels That Have Irrigation Acres Added to the Assessment Roll



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Being a Bylaw of the Eastern Irrigation District to set the fees for Household Purposes agreements, Water Conveyance agreements, Rural Water Use agreements and Other Purposes agreements and to set the Discount and Penalty Rates applicable to those agreements.



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The District has established criteria and guidelines to assist staff in evaluating and administering, and the directors in approving and/or rejecting, applications for increasess, decreases or transfers of irrigation acres.

Click to view the bylaw.

Click to view the application form.

Being a Bylaw of the Eastern Irrigation District to Set the Date for an Election.



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Being a Bylaw of the Eastern Irrigation District to regulate the delivery and distribution of water to users, to establish the terms and conditions that apply to that delivery and the circumstances under which the delivery of water to a user may be reduced or stopped.



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Being a Bylaw of the Eastern Irrigation District to govern the maximum amount of water that may be delivered for irrigation purposes and for any other purpose.


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Being a Bylaw of the Eastern Irrigation District to set the Annual Agreement Rate, Irrigation Rate, Terminable Agreement Rate, Minimum Amount Payable, Surcharge, Discount and Penalty on Unpaid Amounts



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Policy Governing Eligibility and Operation of Pastures on EID Lands

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When an irrigator comes to the District with a development that will or has improved his irrigation farm operation and will:

  • improve the District’s infrastructure, OR
  • save a significant amount of water,

the District may cost-share the project with the irrigator. Projects require the approval of the Board by resolution.



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When the District is undertaking an infrastructure rehabilitation project and at the request of the District a landowner is willing to change from his current water delivery arrangement (either in volume or location) and the proposed change reduces the overall cost of construction and saves the District money, the District may share the savings with the landowner.

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Policy governing Lake Newell Reservoir Land Use.

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Irrigation of Properly Assessed Irrigation Land.

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The Eastern Irrigation District (EID) owns approximately 600,000 acres of land within the County of Newell. This land base is vital to the overall operations of the EID as it supports water storage and conveyance, cattle grazing, industrial development, research activities, provides a diverse range of habitat for wildlife and, when possible, allows public recreational opportunities.

These lands are widely dispersed within the County of Newell and are easily accessible off the public and private road network. From time to time, this accessibility creates a number of management concerns for the EID such as grass fires, disturbance to livestock, litter, uncontrolled pets, camping, off-highway vehicle use and other environmental damage.

To help mitigate these risks and protect EID lands while still allowing public use, the EID has adopted this policy to manage public access.



Click to view policy.