SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED ON THE GREAT SAND HILLS

Released on January 31, 2003

More than forty written submissions have been received from people and organizations with an interest in the Great Sand Hills.

The submissions were invited by the Great Sand Hills Land Use Strategy Review Committee. The Committee is now preparing to schedule meetings with those people and organizations who made submissions.

"Committee members thank those who have forwarded written comments and look forward to meeting with them," Co-chair, Kim Clark said. "We expect that these meetings will take place in late February or early March."

The Great Sand Hills Land Use Strategy Review Committee was formed in August 2002 by the provincial government. Its mandate is to update the 1991 Great Sand Hills Land Use Strategy taking into account today's land use issues.

The provincial government formed the Committee to resolve differing interests between the public and industry in the Great Sand Hills and to ensure that provincial and municipal policies reflect current realities. It is made up of four departments (Environment, Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs, Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization and Industry and Resources); four Rural Municipalities (Piapot, Clinworth, Fox Valley and Pittville); and the Great Sand Hills Planning District Commission.

The review is expected to be complete by this summer. While the review is underway, no new mineral leases are being sold in certain environmentally sensitive areas. However, proposals for development of existing mineral leases may proceed if all regulatory requirements are met.

Documents related to the Great Sand Hills Land Use Strategy Review Committee can be found at http://www.gov.sk.ca/main.html. See special features in the left hand column.

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For More Information, Contact:

Kim Clark Great Sand Hills Land Use Strategy Review Commitee Prince Albert Phone: (306)953-2786 Email: kclark@serm.gov.sk.ca