Neighbour dispute over farmland flooding in Cawston

A neighbour dispute is brewing in Cawston over flooding on farmland affecting nearby properties.

Resident Bob Rempel alleges an orchardist intentionally blocked a culvert and plowed over a creek bed to cultivate the land for growing vegetables.

“He threw some sandbags in front of the culvert so the water wouldn’t flood his property,” Rempel said.

Neighbours said while the culvert has since been cleared, severe weather conditions are exacerbating the problem as the deluge of water has nowhere to go.

A senior who lives next door to the apple orchard declined an on-camera interview but told Global News she is pumping ground water out of her crawlspace every day and she believes to farmer’s actions are responsible.

Ronald Popil, who lives near Beecroft River Road and Stewart Road, said he’s dealing with unprecedented flooding although he’s not sure if it’s connected.

“The whole property is flooded right now. It is bad this year, first time I’ve seen it this bad.”

Neighbour Holly Hart said she may be forced to move her horses to higher ground.

“We’re thinking about bringing our horses into the driveway because it is so wet.”

The five acre parcel of land is owned by Dave Lidder of Lidder Farms.

His son Gary denied the Lidder’s diverted the creek.

“We didn’t fill it in but it was just a gradual low spot … we didn’t come in and try to get rid of it,” he said.

Lidder also denied blocking the culvert.

“No we never did, at no extent would be block it,” he said.

Neighbours want the creek bed reinstated and the Lidder’s appear to be on board.

“If the government would work with us and tell us where they would want it we would be willing to use our machinery and equipment to make it wider,” Gary Lidder said.

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations said its investigating and the Lidder’s could be forced to bear the costs of remediation depending on the outcome.