Tough choices face B.C. ranchers if spring rain doesn’t come

By Colin Dacre – CastaNet

B.C. ranchers are echoing the drought-related concerns of the Syilx Okanagan Nation as much of the Thompson-Okanagan remains parched.

Agriculture Canada says swaths of the region are already seeing severe drought conditions, while the BC River Forecast Centre is reporting snowpacks are at historic lows in some areas.

The BC Cattlemen’s Association is calling on the government to invest in watershed management and stop all plans to decommission existing dams and water-storage infrastructure.

“The BC Cattlemen’s Association sees a practical path forward to help protect the critical flows needed for both fish habitat and essential livestock watering,” said the group in a news release.