PARCS UPDATE #218.2

The Water Security Agency at Work - Part 2

You will find a copy of this newslettter in the NEWSLETTER section on our website

This update continues to address our goal of following the work of the Water Security Agency as they meet with representatives from selected input groups (32 agricultural, 8 environment, 5 research, 4 municipal & 21 indiginous). Whereas the Nov. 28 meeting of PARCS & SWA was 1 of many SMALL GROUP MEETINGS, this recent Dec 8th meeting in Regina, was a LARGE GROUP SESSION titled: A SASK. AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT POLICY.

PARCS' delegates to this 2nd meeting, held in Regina, were:

President Garry Dixon and
South East Director, Marilyn LaBatte.

The Agenda

After a short introduction from Shawn Jaques (President and CEO of the Water Security Agency) and an overview from the 3rd party consultant, the remaining 2.5 hours were allocated to group discussions in answer to the following 5 questions about the desired policy outcomes:

Note - the handouts provided for the meeting provided suggested answers to the questions (as shown below each question)

Q1: What is our collective vision for Sask's water quantity?

Resilience to drought and flooding
Optimum water levels (not too much and not too little)
Abundant and healthy groundwater

Q2: What is our collective vision for Sask's water quality?

Good water quality for drinking, agriculture production, wildlife, recreation, and general publice.
Holistic utilization of the land
Consider water quality downstream (example: lakes)
Meet qualigy commitments to downstream partners

Q3: What is our collective vision for Sask's wildlife resources?

Sustainable & viable population and diversity of species.
Ensure the recognition of the economic and cultural value of wildlife retention.
Co-existence of the wildlife habitat and the ag industry
Recognition of agricultural producers contribution in providing habitats and wildlife sustainability.

Q4: What is our collective vision for Sask's ag. economy?

Strong and stable agricultural economy
Sustainable agricutural sector growth and productivity through efficient land management
Sustainable agricultural growth that provides economic, environmental and social balance
Ensure economic and cultural value associated with wildlife retention

Q5: What is our collective vision for Sask's communities?

Healthy and thriving communities
Resilient communities prepared for climage change
Support a robust ag industry that will ensure investment in rural communities and reduce rural-urban migration
Mitigate flooding of private properties and infrastructure
Increased tourisim and access to ecological goods and services
Fair conflict resolution
Resolving conflicts in a fair and swift way
"Working together, understanding each other is a good start to securing relationships"

The meeting was to conclude with a post-plenary survey and closing remarks from the Water Security Agency.

The Results

If you attended this meeting at the Atlas Hotel in Regina on Dec. 8th, please tell us about your reaction to the agenda.

Did the discussion provide insight into the issues involved in arriving at an agricultural water management policy?
What do you see as the major hurdles to be addressed in arriving at an agricultural water management policy?
Do you feel that the process is giving adequate attention to the issue of ensuring compliance to the new policy.

As the coordinator for PARCS, I attended the first input session on November 28, thinking that we would be talking about WETLANDS IN GENERAL. I came away realizing that the focus would be primarily on AGRICULTURE-GENERATED WETLANDS. Certainly, however, we at the Provincial Association of Resort Communities of Saskatchewan want to follow this process and these decisions closely.

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Please share your thoughts about the PROCESS TO DATE in a signed email with your name & your reason for involvement. (Examples: An ag producer, a rural resident/councilor, a lakeshore resident/councilor, an environmental supporter, an indiginous leader, etc.) We can be reached at:

parcs@sasktel.net