REGINA — Wetland management is at the heart of a multi-agency process that has produced the finalized Agricultural Water Stewardship Policy.
The Water Security Agency (WSA) has announced completion of the policy and the allotment of $1 million over the next three years to ongoing research and monitoring to ensure the policy's long-term effectiveness.
"I appreciate the contributions of the 80 stakeholder and Indigenous organizations who helped shape this policy," Minister Responsible for the Water Security Agency Daryl Harrison said.
"We are committed to getting this right for Saskatchewan and will continue to invest in research, monitoring and make adjustments where needed."
Saskatchewan producers are caretakers of over 4.6 million acres of wetlands. With 86 per cent of the wetlands in Saskatchewan's agricultural area undrained, Saskatchewan producers take their role seriously and are committed to the stewardship of these important features of the landscape, Sask. Environment states in a press release.
This policy will ensure that stewardship continues by establishing a limit on how many wetlands can be drained and how many wetlands need to be retained on the landscape, the ministry adds.
The policy was developed over the last two years after completing 11 different demonstration and research projects and engaging stakeholder and producer organizations, and Métis and Indigenous rights holders.
"The policy is a made-in-Saskatchewan approach to agriculture water management," Water Security Agency President and CEO Shawn Jaques said.
"The policy will support flood prevention, and protection of water quality and wetland habitat, while still allowing drainage to be used as a tool to improve farm efficiency and productivity, as well as soil health."
It is a regional approach that considers the different landscapes found in the province. It sets a baseline wetland retention goal of 40 per cent, and higher (up to 60 per cent) where required to protect important water sources.
The $1 million research initiative will fund projects that help to ensure the policy continues to make sense for Saskatchewan people and its landscape, the ministry states. WSA will monitor and publicly report on a set of key indicators to assess the policy's progress and effectiveness. Saskatchewan will be the first jurisdiction in Canada to do this.
For more information on this announcement, visit: www.wsask.ca/agwatermanagement.
