Dear editor:

The heading “‘It’s transformational’: New $ 1.8 million funding to help boost NOTL irrigation systems” (The Lake Report, June 19) is very misleading. This is an Erwin Wiens exaggerated statement. The Lake Report can do better. The town is not getting the full $1.8 million.

The irrigation system for NOTL mainly uses the municipal drains, of which there are many throughout the town. Many have not been maintained properly over the last 20 years. Thus leading to problems with the irrigation systems and adding to the flooding problems throughout the town.

The town is responsible for overseeing the maintenance of these municipal drains. The costs are shared by and assessed against all those properties that benefit from them: Farmers, homeowners, the town, the region, the Niagara Parks Commission, etc. An engineer’s report is required to detail the work or adjust, or redo the assessments.

The NOTL irrigation system is paid for by those that use it, by an annual fee, based on the number of acres they irrigate. Those that have access to water directly from the river or lake do not pay into the system. Yes, irrigation is important and more are wishing to use it. They should pay just as all those have in the past.

The question to ask is: Why are our tax dollars now going to repair and upgrade the irrigation and municipal drainage system that has not been maintained properly for years and should be paid for by those that benefit from it?

Kip Voege
NOTL