ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS RESTRUCTURED TO BUILD A GREEN AND PROSPEROUS ECONOMY

Saskatchewan Environment is reprioritizing and restructuring programs and services in an effort to reduce costs and better focus on building a green and prosperous economy.

"Saskatchewan Environment is restructuring to better focus its activities on areas of highest risk to the environment and resources," Environment Minister David Forbes said. "The department's key priorities are protecting human health and safety through the safe drinking water strategy and wildfire suppression, sustainable resource management, provincial environmental assessment and providing economic and social benefits for current and future generations."

The province's wildfire management program is being reorganized to focus protection on the things that are most important to people, and to allow fire to play a more natural role in the forest. To accomplish these objectives, the base budget for wildfire management has been increased from $37 million to $65 million, although there will be a downsizing of some ground fire fighting capacity.

A special enforcement unit will be established to create a new focus on investigations of significant environmental damage or resource abuse. A new integrated monitoring unit is also being established. It will direct monitoring activities on broader strategic issues such as the cumulative effects of environmental impacts, better understanding of air and source water quality issues and the impacts of climate change.

"The provincial parks system will also see changes this year," Forbes said. "Some provincial park fees will increase this year to help recover program delivery costs so visitors can continue to enjoy the excellent opportunities and experiences provided by our park system.

The park opening dates are being adjusted to reflect peak demand periods. Fourteen parks serving the majority of seasonal campers and cottage owners will begin providing services on the May long weekend. Twelve parks and recreation sites will begin offering services in mid-June. There are about 6,700 campsites in the system and less than 20 per cent of these sites have been used during the period between the May long weekend and late June. The change in park operating dates is more reflective of this level of demand. Historic parks will continue to operate as usual.

In order to reposition resources to priority areas the department is reducing activities that focus on lower risk issues. Saskatchewan Environment offices will no longer sell fishing, hunting or trapping licences. Licences are widely available around the province from hundreds of private vendors including sporting goods, department and corner stores, gas stations or from Saskatchewan Environment's website at www.se.gov.sk.ca.

A new initiative, The Green Team, will provide an opportunity for Saskatchewan students to gain work experience and training in the environmental sector. This is a summer-employment program of Culture, Youth and Recreation in partnership with Saskatchewan Environment.

"Youth are key to building a green and prosperous future," Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Joan Beatty said. "To achieve this we need to access the knowledge, skills and commitment that youth have for the environment, so we are establishing a Green Team Program for youth."

The program has earmarked $200,000 in funding in 2004-05 and will target students at least 16 years old who are interested in environmental management and energy conservation, and will be returning to an educational institution in fall 2004.

Saskatchewan Environment is also closing offices in nine communities. Staff in these offices have either been reduced or transferred to other locations. Communities affected by office closures and staff reductions will be serviced from the next closest office. There are no reductions to the drinking water quality or environmental assessment programs.

Changes in the Environment department will affect approximately 200 staff. About 12 per cent of the total staff complement will have their positions eliminated or their seasonal employment reduced or hours of work shortened.

"With these changes I am confident that we will continue to fulfill our primary objectives for protecting the province's environment and resources while encouraging sustainable development," Forbes said. "These changes will ensure we are focusing our efforts on setting the foundation for a green and prosperous economy."

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For More Information, Contact:

Michele McEachern Environment Regina Phone: (306) 787-0412