AMENDMENTS TO PARKS ACT IMPROVE EFFECTIVENESS

Released on April 8, 2003

Legislation to provide more effective and efficient park management was introduced into the legislature today when The Parks Act 2003 was given first reading.

The community of Sucker River will see social and economic benefits as their land base increases. Permit holders will also benefit from longer terms which will promote better management of park native grasslands.

"Saskatchewan people take a great deal of pride in our provincial parks. They are seen as models of environmental quality and are an important legacy for future generations," Environment Minister Buckley Belanger said.

Amendments will remove land from Lac La Ronge Provincial Park which will be added to the community of Sucker River. The additional land will accommodate the community's growing population. The park land will be exchanged for reserve land at Bittern Lake which is being added to the park.

The term of park permits will be increased from one year to a period of up to five years, to allow grazing permit holders more time to better plan and manage their grazing operation, while at the same time provide environmental benefits to the parks system. The five-year term will allow grazing permit holders time to put in fencing and make other improvements that promote environmentally responsible grazing regimes.

Small areas of land from Meadow Lake, Greenwater Lake and Last Mountain House provincial parks will be removed and a 160-acre area of land will be added to Meadow Lake Provincial Park. The changes will also update park legal descriptions.

"These amendments will make an already effective piece of legislation work even better, for government and for the people of Saskatchewan," said Belanger.

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For More Information, Contact:

Bruce Martin Environment Regina Phone: (306)787-2480 Email: bmartin@serm.gov.sk.ca