PROVINCE LAUNCHES NEW AIRSHED ASSOCIATION

Saskatchewan's first-ever airshed association was officially launched by Environment Minister John Nilson today.

The Southeast Saskatchewan Airshed Association will collect comprehensive air quality data to meet the needs of the public, universities, non-government organizations and other governments.

"By creating this association, the membership - made up of industry, government and community - is showing it is prepared to do its fair share to ensure the right information is available so that we can make informed decisions about our collective future and make life better for Saskatchewan families," Nilson said.

The Southeast Saskatchewan Airshed Association, a non-profit corporation, began operating in the spring of 2006. Current membership includes members of the agriculture, oil and gas, mining, power generation sectors and the public. The departments of Environment, Health, Industry and Resources also participate as members of the board of directors.

"The government has taken a bold step forward in developing additional capacity to address air quality issues in Saskatchewan," Southeast Saskatchewan Airshed Association executive director Bob Scotten said. "This model of a consensus-based forum has proven successful in other jurisdictions and we hope to implement it in other regions of Saskatchewan. The ambient air quality data will provide a much needed management tool to help keep clean air clean."

A preliminary airshed study has been completed for an area in southeast Saskatchewan that includes an emissions inventory, data collection, airshed boundary determination and the identification of any major air quality related issues. Twenty-eight passive air-monitoring stations have been set up and one continuous air monitoring station is expected to begin operations this fall.

The airshed approach to air quality management is a multi-stakeholder, consensus driven process that allows for the collection and open communication of credible continuous air quality data.

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For more information, contact:

Traci Braaten
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1611
Email: traci.braaten@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-3852