Logan Green project gets dollars

The development of Stormwater Detention Ponds on Logan Green received an $8,000 donation from the Assiniboine Watershed Stewardship Association in a presentation made at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.

"Over the past five years the AWSA has formed a very strong working relationship with the City of Yorkton," AWSA manager Aron Hershmiller said.

Hershmiller said the working relationship has covered a range of projects.

"The AWSA has worked with and is currently working with the city on various interesting projects. These projects have seen the AWSA contribute approximately $174,706.00 of project funding and in-kind staff service to the City of Yorkton," he said.

In terms of work, Hershmiller pointed first to the Land & Infrastructure Resilience Assessment (LIRA).

"This project looks at Extreme rain events which have the potential for flooding that can prove devastating to communities and industry within a watershed. Croplands, livestock operations, homes, businesses and infrastructure can all suffer costly damage that can deeply affect a region's prosperity, environment and social well-being," he said. "There are reactive measures (e.g., Provincial Disaster Assistance Program (PDAP) to deal with the hardships of flooding, but what, if anything, can be done to protect a region from such devastating and extreme events before they happen? And how might regional stakeholders even begin to develop, evaluate and implement such proactive adaptation strategies?

"This project is currently taking place in the Yorkton Creek sub-watershed which includes the cities of Melville & Yorkton, the town of Saltcoats, and the surrounding RMs."

Hershmiller said AWSA has also been very involved in terms of work on Logan Green.

"We were invited by the City of Yorkton to facilitate agency partner meetings for the Logan Green Project," he said. "Seeing that we have strong relationships with the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Agri-Environment Service Branch, Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation and the local wildlife federation, the City brought us in to lead the partner meetings. These agencies have been brought to the table to add both technical and financial strength to this one of a kind project. All partners are excited about the educational opportunities that the Logan Green Project will provide to not only city residents but residents from the parkland region.

And the final project Hershmiller discussed also related to the Logan Green Project, in particular the Stormwater/Snowmelt Runoff Impact Reduction Initiative for the City of Yorkton

"We gathered important water quality data from three sites in the city. One near Wal-Mart, one near the Gallagher Center and one on Victoria Avenue," he said.

"The water quality parameters analyzed were: nutrients, ions, metals, sediment, pH, alkalinity, total coliforms, E. coli, petroleum products, chemical oxygen demand and Biological oxygen demand.

"The above mentioned parameters tested were within acceptable limits except for three heavy metals (copper, lead and zinc), which exceeded the provincial surface water objectives for the protection of aquatic life.

"In an effort to improve the water quality, from storm water runoff we would like to present you with a cheque in the amount of $8,000.00 for engineering fees towards the development of the Stormwater Detention Ponds on the Logan Green Project."