PROTECTING OUR WATER

Local people will take the lead in planning and decision-making for the long-term protection of source water in the South Saskatchewan River Watershed.

A local Watershed Advisory Committee has been established in March 2004, at the request of the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, local municipalities, First Nations and a range of local stewardship, development and wildlife groups. This committee will work with technical experts to develop a long-term plan to help guide decision-making at all levels.

"The South Saskatchewan River Watershed is one of seven priority planning areas in Saskatchewan," Minister responsible for the Watershed Authority David Forbes said. "The participation of local leaders in the process ensures that local perspectives are heard as we move forward in implementing the government's safe drinking water strategy and building a green and prosperous economy."

About 325,000 people reside in the South Saskatchewan River Watershed. Because of its vastness, the watershed is broken into three planning units. They are geographically based: from the Alberta Border to Saskatchewan Landing; from Saskatchewan Landing downstream to just south of Saskatoon; and from Saskatoon north to the fork where the North and South Saskatchewan rivers meet.

"To encourage common goals and to achieve sound water management and source water protection, the planning process will be built on consensus, partnership and stakeholder involvement," committee chairperson Jeff Olson said. "Based on common goals, the final watershed plan will incorporate local decisions and a shared responsibility for the actions the committee identifies for the long-term plan."

A watershed for a particular water body refers to the geographic area that contributes runoff to that water body. There are 29 watersheds in Saskatchewan. Last fall, the government released Protecting our Water – A Watershed and Aquifer Planning Model for Saskatchewan, which outlined the process for developing local plans to manage and protect source waters. The plan for the South Saskatchewan River Watershed will be developed in accordance with that model.

The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority was created in 2002 as part of the government's Safe Drinking Water Strategy, with a mandate to manage and protect water quantity and source water quality in the province.

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For More Information, Contact:

Jeff Olson Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Yorkton Phone: (306)786-1364