WETLAND POLICY INTRODUCED

Released on April 10, 1995

Berny Wiens, minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Wetland
Conservation Corporation, today announced the provincial cabinet has
approved a wetland policy.

"This new policy formalizes the province's commitment to ensure
government departments and agencies adjust their programs and policies
to encourage wetland conservation," Wiens said.

The objectives of the policy are to encourage sustainable management of
wetlands and to restore or rehabilitate degraded wetland areas.

Wiens said the next steps in policy implementation are to work with
stakeholders to co-ordinate government policies and programs that
affect wetlands, increase wetland monitoring, develop land-use planning
guidelines for wetland management, and encourage opportunities for
landowners to capture some economic benefits from wetlands.

"It is appropriate that this announcement is being made following
National Soil Conservation Week and on the eve of the Saskatchewan
Biodiversity Conference," Wiens said. "By contributing to soil and
water conservation, wetlands help ensure the sustainability of our
province's agricultural and wildlife-related industries."

The wetland policy was developed by a steering group of representatives
from the Saskatchewan Wetland Conservation Corporation, Saskatchewan
Agriculture and Food, Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management,
Saskatchewan Municipal Government, and Sask Water.
"Throughout our government's term we have worked hard to consult with
Saskatchewan people and to ensure accountability for our actions,"
Wiens said. "Stakeholders have provided advice throughout the
development of the policy and we will seek their advice during all
stages of the policy implementation."

Information about the wetland policy is available from the Saskatchewan
Wetland Conservation Corporation, 110-2151 Scarth Street, Regina,
Sask., S4P 3Z3.

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For more information, contact:

Rick Bates
Wetland Conservation Corporation
Regina
Phone: 787-0726

Alan Shylonyk
Agriculture and Food
Regina
Phone: 787-58978

Maureen Boyle
Municipal Government
Regina
Phone: 787-5959

Wayne Dybvig
Sask Water
Moose Jaw
Phone: 694-3950

Les Cooke
Environment and Resource Management
Regina
Phone: 787-5419