ASSINIBOINE STEWARDSHIP GROUP RECEIVES $50,000 FOR SOURCE WATER PROTECTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority and the Assiniboine Watershed Stewardship Association have signed a funding agreement to begin implementation of the Assiniboine River Watershed Source Water Protection Plan and the Yorkton Area Aquifers Source Water Protection Plan.

“These plans were developed by people living in the watershed, with assistance from the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority and numerous public and private sector partners,” Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority John Nilson said.  “We are pleased to partner with the Assiniboine Watershed Stewardship Association to begin the important work of implementing the plans.”

“Water should be treated as part of the common good and controlled by democratically accountable public authorities,” Assiniboine Watershed Stewardship Association chair Don Olson said.  “It is vital that all municipalities throughout our watershed play a part in protecting our source water.  Be sure your municipality is an active member of your Assiniboine Watershed Stewardship Association.  Ask your mayors, reeves and councillors to get on board in helping set direction and policy that will safeguard our precious source water supplies for the future generations to come.”
 
The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority will provide $50,000 to assist with the salary, office and travel expenses associated with hiring a local watershed manager to co-ordinate implementation of the plans.  The Assiniboine Watershed Stewardship Association will oversee the implementation process, ensuring that source water protection efforts benefit all people in the watershed.

Both of the plans were completed in August 2006.  Each contains a number of key actions to address impacts on water quality and quantity, to be carried out by various government and non-government organizations.

The development of source water protection plans is a priority of the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, which has a mandate to manage and protect the quality and quantity of the province’s water supplies.  The plans support Saskatchewan’s Safe Drinking Water Strategy, the province’s comprehensive action plan to deal with the risks that affect drinking water.

The Assiniboine River Watershed Source Water Protection Plan and the Yorkton Area Aquifers Source Water Protection Plan are available online at www.swa.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Rob Kirkness
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Yorkton
Phone: 306-786-1486
Email: rob.kirkness@swa.ca

Don Olson
Assiniboine Watershed Stewardship Association
Sturgis
Phone: 306-548-5519
Email: dsolson@sasktel.net