SASK WATER SIGNS STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT

Released on January 22, 1999

Maynard Sonntag, minister responsible for Sask Water, today announced

the signing of an agreement with the Stewards of Jackfish and Murray

Lakes, a local group interested in monitoring and improving the

quality of water in the two lakes.



"This agreement will help the lake stewardship group maintain and

enhance the water quality of Jackfish Lake, Murray Lake and the

surrounding drainage basin," Sonntag said. "Because Sask Water

strongly encouraged residents in the area to launch a stewardship

organization, I am extremely pleased to see the proposal reach

fruition."



The stewardship group's primary activities on the two lakes located

approximately 40 kilometres north of North Battleford will include

the collection of water quality data, sharing acquired information,

educating the public on matters of sound lake and drainage basin

management, fostering partnerships with government and research

personnel, and developing lake enhancement and protection sites. With

lake stewardship groups obtaining data over a length of time, trends

can be plotted and the resulting information can be used to make

decisions on how to best protect the water quality.



The Stewards of Jackfish and Murray Lakes, recently incorporated under

the Non-profit Corporations Act, held its charter meeting in June

1998, at which time a 14-member board of directors was established.

The group's membership consists of 10 resort communities, the RM

of Meota, the Jackfish Watershed Association and 80 individuals.



The group's board of directors consist of: President Dave

McDonald, Cochin; Vice-President Ray Nolin, North Battleford;

Treasurer Bert Elder, North Battleford; and Secretary Bunny

Libbey, North Battleford. Directors include Millie Dament, North

Battleford; Glenn Lowes, Cochin; and Terry Seime, North

Battleford.



Directors-at-large include Marilynne Earl, Saskatoon; Tom Bridge,

North Battleford; Howard Kirby, North Battleford; Phyllis Lowes,

Cochin; Winston Tait, Meota; Barry Earl, Saskatoon; and Joyce

Torry, North Battleford.



"Having lake stewardship groups in place accomplishes three

important goals," said Sonntag. "First, it assists the province

in monitoring the lake, or lakes, in question; second, it

provides the lake users with an opportunity to understand what

affects their lake; and third, becoming involved in the water

management process allows residents an expanded view of the many

issues involved in managing the province's water resources."



Beyond a funding commitment of up to $5,000 over three years,

Sonntag said Sask Water will also provide technical and

administrative assistance to help the Stewards of Jackfish and

Murray Lakes initiate operations.



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For more information, contact:



Don Dill

Sask Water

North Battleford

Phone: (306) 446-7456