A news release from the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (WSA) was issued in November 2017 that addresses some of the misinformation being spread through the discussions and comments being shared in the media and online regarding the Quill Lakes Watershed Association’s (QLWA) Common Ground Proposal. This news release was sent out to help clarify a number of details surrounding this project.
The main points being:
- The Ministry of Environment issued a determination that the QLWA’s application for the Common Ground proposal was not considered a development as defined by the act and would not undergo an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This was based on 12 terms and conditions on which the determination is made
- There will still be significant and ongoing environmental oversight from the WSA regardless of the Ministry of Environment’s determination of the proposal
- The Common Grounds project will require an Approval to Construct, an Approval to Operate and an Aquatic Habitat Protection Permit from WSA
- The WSA has not issued any approvals for the project to date
- The WSA requires the following actions and information from the QLWA to complete the application which is currently on going:
- Hydrological Analysis – to support project flows and determine impacts to the Quill Lakes and downstream water bodies;
- Hydraulic Modelling – to support the design flowrates provided in the proposal;
- Water Quality Analysis – to determine the impact of the releases from the project on downstream waterbodies;
- Water Quality Monitoring Program – to provide feedback information on the operation of the project;
- Land Control – the right to move water over a landowner’s property along the length of the project; and
- Consultation – With the public and First Nations in the area with potential impacts
Click here to view the full WSA news release.
