Released on April 9, 2013
Today, on behalf of Premier Brad Wall, Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency Ken Cheveldayoff presented 2013 Council of the Federation – Excellence in Water Stewardship Award to the Lower Souris Watershed Committee.
“It is a pleasure to have this opportunity to congratulate all the members of the Lower Souris Watershed Committee for the great work they do for this province,” Cheveldayoff said. “We are very fortunate to have organizations like this in Saskatchewan who put in many hours of hard work to ensure our lakes and rivers are some of the best in the world.”
The Lower Souris Watershed Committee received the ”Excellence in Water Stewardship Award” for its strong leadership and innovation in implementing its source water protection plan.
The Lower Souris Committee developed the first Agri-Environmental Group Farm Plan focused on source water protection. This work led to investments of $2.5 million in beneficial management actions within the watershed and served as a model for 27 additional group farm plans across Saskatchewan.
Jim Cairns, who has served on the board of the Lower Souris Watershed Committee since it was formed, accepted the award on behalf of the Lower Souris Board.
The Lower Souris Watershed Committee also led an ecological goods and services pilot project. They inventoried every wetland greater than a quarter acre in size within their watershed and partnered in the establishment and operation of a Watershed Evaluation of Beneficial Management Practices research site.
The Excellence in Water Stewardship Award was created by Canada’s Premiers, at the Council of the Federation, in recognition that water is critical to human and ecosystem health. One award is presented in each province and territory.
The Water Security Agency was created to lead implementation of the 25 Year Saskatchewan Water Security Plan. It will improve water management capacity and service to individuals, businesses and communities across Saskatchewan. This new agency brings together, for the first time, all of the major responsibilities related to water quality and quantity.
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For more information, contact:
Patrick Boyle
Water Security Agency
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-8914
Email: Patrick.Boyle@wsask.ca
Cell: 306-631-6997