Premier Brad Wall and Saskatchewan's Minister responsible for the Water Security Agency Ken Cheveldayoff have announced the Assiniboine Watershed Stewardship Association (which is based out of Yorkton) will be presented with the Council of the Federation Excellence in Water Stewardship Award.
The award for Excellence in Water Stewardship recognizes outstanding achievements, innovative practice and leadership in water stewardship. The Assiniboine Watershed Stewardship Association will be presented the 2014 award at the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds and Saskatchewan Conservation and Development Association annual conference.
"I'm very pleased to recognize the Assiniboine Watershed Stewardship Association for the innovation they have shown in reaching out to landowners and demonstrating the advantages of beneficial management practices and the impact on watersheds," says MLA for Saskatoon Eastview Corey Tochor on behalf of Premier Wall. "The people of Saskatchewan are very fortunate to have groups like this who are dedicated to protecting and preserving the quality of water in our lakes and rivers."
In 2009, the Assiniboine Watershed Stewardship Association began implementing Agricultural Environmental Group Plans. These plans allow all farmers in the plan area to qualify for financial assistance to implement beneficial management practices which protect water.
Tochor says the Association has shown strong innovation and administration, leading to very successful implementation of its plan.
They approved more than 1,400 applications and provided more than $9 million in assistance for projects like seeding riparian areas to permanent cover, decommissioning abandoned wells and seeding perennial forage.
The Excellence in Water Stewardship Award was created by Canada's premiers at the Council of the Federation in recognition that water is critical to human and ecosystem health. This award is presented in each province and territory in Canada.
The Water Security Agency was created to lead implementation of the 25 Year Saskatchewan Water Security Plan. It will improve water management capacity and service to individuals, businesses and communities across Saskatchewan. This agency brings together all the major responsibilities related to water quality and quantity.
