PROVINCE PROVIDES FURTHER PROTECTION FOR THE GREAT SAND HILLS

Released on April 5, 2005

The province is changing the law to protect the Ecological Reserve portion of the Great Sand Hills.

An amendment to The Ecological Reserves Act will make it illegal to change the boundaries of the Great Sand Hills Representative Area Ecological Reserve or the way the land in the reserve is used without first using the legislative process to change the Act.

"This is a major step forward for our province," Environment Minister David Forbes said. "By changing the Act we are using the law to give the Great Sand Hills Ecological Reserve the strongest protection possible. This is the first time we have used the law in this manner and it is a solid demonstration of our commitment to conserving the Great Sand Hills Ecological Reserve, which is environmentally, culturally and ecologically important to the people of Saskatchewan."

Existing activities such as exercising Treaty rights, ranching and hunting will continue to be allowed in the 36,585 hectare (141.25 sq mile) Great Sand Hills Ecological Reserve. However activities such as gas development will not be allowed.

"Using legislation to protect this area is the right thing to do," Great Sand Hills Planning District Commission Chair Paul Tuchscherer said. "Strengthening the level of protection for the Great Sand Hills also fulfills the recommendation set out in the Great Sand Hills study."

The government recently established a Scientific Advisory Committee to conduct a Regional Environmental Study of the entire Great Sand Hills. Fieldwork for the study will begin this spring with a 2006-2007 target date for completion.

The changes to The Ecological Reserves Act would also affect the province's 37 other ecological reserves by making it illegal to change their boundaries without first changing the Act.

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For More Information, Contact:

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