11 Demonstration Projects Will Set The Stage For Further Consultations
For the full version of this news release, please visit: http://saskatchewan.ca/news.
Farmers and ranchers in Saskatchewan are working together to find new and effective ways to manage water on their land that will strengthen their operations and protect communities, infrastructure and the environment.
Today, Minister Responsible for Water Security Agency Greg Ottenbreit announced Water Security Agency (WSA) is investing $1 million to partner with 10 stakeholder organizations on 11 agricultural water management demonstration projects. This will allow the agricultural and environmental communities to test innovative solutions and inform best practices to help farmers and ranchers manage water on their land and mitigate water quality and quantity impacts downstream.
Each organization brings a different perspective on water management and will help contribute agronomic, environmental, infrastructure and economic expertise.
“Agricultural water management is extremely important to our economy and the environment, but every region of our province is different,” Ottenbreit said. “We need to listen and learn from, and work with farmers and ranchers on the landscape. These projects will allow stakeholders, WSA and local leaders to better understand how we can solve complex water management issues.”
“Water management is important to all of rural Saskatchewan as our economy and viability of rural communities depend on it,” Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities President Ray Orb said. “We are pleased to see this investment as Water Security Agency works with local leaders on options and examples of how projects can be supported by all stakeholders.”
The participating organizations receiving funding include:
- Saskatchewan Conservation and Development Association;
- Glacier FarmMedia Discovery Farm (Langham);
- Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds;
- Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association;
- Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation;
- Saskatchewan Soil Conservation Association;
- Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association;
- Saskatchewan Research Council;
- Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute; and
- Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association.
Some of the demonstration projects will test how farmers and ranchers can irrigate with water drained from agricultural fields. Other projects will strategically retain wetlands to reduce the downstream impacts of flooding on infrastructure, water quality and habitat. Others will look at applying fertilizer in different ways in order to minimize nutrient runoff.
For more information on the Agricultural Water Management Strategy visit www.wsask.ca.
