MORE THAN $100,000 FOR SOURCE WATER PROTECTION IN THE LOWER SOURIS RIVER WATERSHED

Cannington MLA Dan D'Autremont, on behalf of Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Nancy Heppner, presented a cheque for $67,472 to John Van Eaton, Chair of the Lower Souris Watershed Committee, at a ceremony held today at the Moosomin and District Regional Park.

The group will receive additional funding throughout the year as their work progresses, bringing the total annual grant amount to $103,803. The grant is intended to assist the committee with implementing the Lower Souris River Watershed Source Water Protection Plan.

"This is the largest grant for the protection of local source water resources we have given to date," D'Autremont said. "We're very pleased to support the committee's continued efforts to protect source water in this watershed. This group developed the first source water protection plan in the province, and their hard work and dedication is helping ensure Saskatchewan's people have access to clean, safe water."

The plan, which was released in March 2006, contains 25 key actions aimed at keeping the area's water safe and in good supply. Of those 25 key actions, 20 have either been completed or are currently in progress.

This past April, the Government of Saskatchewan committed an additional $500,000 to several non-profit groups engaged in source water protection initiatives. With the additional funding, the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority has made a total of $820,000 in funding grants available to non-profit groups that are leading implementation of source water protection plans.

The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority facilitates the development of watershed-based source water protection plans by bringing together local leaders who work in partnership to create and implement an action plan for protecting their water. To date, seven plans have been completed within the province, with four more currently underway.

The Lower Souris River Watershed Source Water Protection Plan is available online at www.swa.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Jeff Olson
Saskatchewan Watershed Authority
Yorkton
Phone: 306-786-1364
Cell: 306-621-7850