Released on July 11, 2013
Today, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Water Security Agency Ken Cheveldayoff announced the Water Security Agency, Environment Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans have signed a formal protocol agreement to ensure future flooding issues that impact Saskatchewan’s fish and fish habitat are addressed through discussion and joint agreement. With the signing of this agreement, the legal challenge at Lenore Lake near Humboldt is now resolved.
Environment Canada will contribute $4 million to the Water Security Agency to assist with the cost of protecting fish habitat by keeping saline water out of Lenore Lake.
“A natural disaster like a flood will always create hardship, whether it’s for upstream or downstream landowners or the environment,” Cheveldayoff said. “I am very pleased that we were able to reach an amicable agreement with our federal colleagues creating a system that ensures we resolve future issues cooperatively.”
In May of 2010, Environment Canada on behalf of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans issued an Inspector’s Direction, under the federal Fisheries Act, to stop the flow of saline water from Houghton Lake into Lenore Lake. The Water Security Agency challenged this direction in federal court and issued a claim for damages in the Court of Queen’s Bench. This agreement settles both legal challenges.
The Water Security Agency was created to lead implementation of the 25 Year Saskatchewan Water Security Plan. It will improve water management capacity and service to individuals, businesses and communities across Saskatchewan. This new agency brings together, for the first time, all of the major responsibilities related to water quality and quantity.
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For more information, contact:
Patrick Boyle
Water Security Agency
Moose Jaw
Phone: 306-694-8914
Email: Patrick.Boyle@wsask.ca
Cell: 306-631-6997