Great Sand Hills gets a reprieve!
Thanks to all the work done by concerned citizens in Saskatchewan and beyond, the provincial government has decided not to allow the RM of Piapot to rezone land to allow oil and gas development in envrionmentally sensitive areas.
Great Sand Hills Under Review
The 1991 Land Use Strategy for the Great Sand Hills is undergoing a major review.
The provincial government made this decision in order to resolve differing interests for land use in the Great Sand Hills area and in order to ensure that provincial and municipal policies for the area reflect current realities.
"The review will update the Land Use Strategy taking into account today's land-use issues and develop standards which would apply to the entire Great Sand Hills area," Environment Minister Buckley Belanger said. "Working together we will ensure that everyone has a chance to voice their concerns and that those concerns will be considered in the development of the strategy."
Four departments will particpate in the review (Environment, Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs, Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization and Industry and Resources). The Great Sand Hills Planning District Commission and the four rural municipalities within the Great Sand Hills are being asked to collaborate with the province in the review. The review will also involve interested parties such as environmental groups, stock growers, the petroleum industry and local residents.
Pending the review, the RM of Piapot's bylaw amendment has not been approved. The bylaw would have allowed potential natural gas development in sensitive areas. The government is asking the RM of Piapot to work within the existing bylaws, which would see them collaborate with the Planning District Commission on any proposed natural gas development.
The Great Sand Hills is a unique and sensitive region with one of the greatest concentrations of sand dunes in any populated area in Canada. The area is also rich in flora and fauna including endangered and rare species. The area also has considerable natural gas potential and revenues from the area are important to many of the social programs we enjoy in Saskatchewan.
The review is expected to be completed by summer 2003.
For more information contact:Saskatchewan Environment, Regina
Phone: (306) 787-1611