GREAT SAND HILLS LAND USE REVIEW COMMITTEE SUBMITS REPORT

Released on June 10, 2004

The final report and recommendations of the Great Sand Hills Land Use Strategy Review Committee is now complete and has been submitted to government on June 9th, 2004.

"The committee is very pleased to have concluded this important review and believes that it provides sound recommendations for government that will protect the Great Sand Hills and still allow for appropriate forms of development," Committee Co-chair Kim Clark said. "The committee would also like to thank the hundreds of people that participated in the review process, their comments and suggestions have helped make this report and recommendations much richer."

The report contains recommendations in nine areas including expanding the area of protected lands, zoning outside protected areas, environmental assessment and ecological monitoring. The committee recommends that a combination of options be used to manage the ecological sensitivities and complexities of the Great Sand Hills.

The Review Committee was established in August of 2002 to review the existing 1991 Land Use Strategy for the Great Sand Hills and make recommendations for the future. The committee includes the Rural Municipalities of Piapot, Pittville, Fox Valley and Clinworth; the Great Sand Hills Planning District Commission; and the departments of Environment, Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs, Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization and Industry and Resources. A variety of stakeholders representing industry, landowners and environmental groups, as well as the public helped inform the committee's deliberations.

The report is available on the Saskatchewan Environment website at www.se.gov.sk.ca under Ecosystem Management.

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For More Information, Contact:

Art Jones Environment Regina Phone: (306) 787-5796