Agency putting wetlands at risk
The United Nations declared Feb. 2 World Wetland Day in recognition of the central importance of wetlands to the environment and human society.
Unfortunately, wetlands are under threat of extinction in southern Saskatchewan — in part due to a proposal by the Saskatchewan Water Agency (WSA) that may result in the draining of 30 to 70 per cent of all remaining wetlands.
The Calling Lakes Ecomuseum (CLEM) receives phone calls every month from amazing farmers who are distressed by illegal drainage that is enabled by the lack of the wetland policy.
A diversity of wetlands both sustains water supply during the dry years and captures run-off during wet periods. Wetlands are essential habitat for migratory wetland fowl and endangered species, both protected by federal law, as well as home to essential First Nations medicines.
Unregulated drainage causes widespread changes in the water landscape leading to urban and rural flooding even when there is very little snowpack.
Resolutions requesting a comprehensive wetland policy put forward by the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association are being ignored by the provincial government.
Last year, CLEM collected 2,300 letters from concerned citizens of all stripes asking Premier Scott Moe for a sustainable wetland policy — not a drainage plan. The last three years of drought has cost taxpayers more than $6 billion in crop insurance payouts.
We are not opposed to development, but we also felt that the voices of many producers, First Nations and other citizens are not being heard.
This is an election year, and we ask voters and citizens — urban, rural, northern and Indigenous — to ask candidates for a sustainable wetland policy. Unlike Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba have a “no net wetland loss” policy.
Furthermore, Alberta is investing $8.7 million to help restore wetlands as part of a long-term drought management program. We need a similar vision in Saskatchewan to conserve wetlands, aid farmers and provide water for everyone.
Tom Mcdougall, Lebret Mcdougall is a member of the Calling Lakes Ecomuseum.