Released on October 3, 2003
Municipalities and local citizens groups will be involved in protecting and managing Saskatchewan's water under a new initiative announced today by Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Minister Buckley Belanger. The Minister released Protecting our Water: A Watershed and Aquifer Planning Model for Saskatchewan in Saskatoon at a meeting of leaders from resort communities."Local citizens need to participate in the decisions that affect their lives – that affect their water and our water," Belanger said. "This planning model ensures local involvement as we implement our government's Long Term Safe Drinking Water Strategy."
Protecting our Water sets out a model for developing water management plans. Local leaders from municipal government, First Nations and other organizations will work with technical experts from the federal and provincial governments to develop water managements plans tailored to the particular watershed or aquifer.
A watershed refers to geographical area where runoff flows to a particular water body. There are 29 watersheds in Saskatchewan. Aquifers are underground source waters. There are at least ten major aquifers in the province.
Planning activities were already underway for three watersheds (Assiniboine River, Lower Souris River and Moose Jaw River) and will continue under the new model. An additional four areas have been identified as immediate priority areas (North Saskatchewan River / Battle Creek, South Saskatchewan River and Upper Qu'Appelle River Watersheds and the Yorkton Aquifer). The remaining watersheds and aquifers will be prioritized over the coming year.
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For More Information, Contact:
| Jim Gerhart Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Moose Jaw Phone: (306)694-3952 Email: jim.gerhart@swa.ca Cell: (306)631-9940 |