Province Announces Measures To Address Extraordinary Flooding
News Release – April 30, 2007
Premier Lorne Calvert today announced that the Government of Saskatchewan will take several measures in response to the extraordinary flooding at Fishing Lake and Waldsea Lake.The province will co-ordinate, over the next several months, the necessary measures to lower the water level at Fishing Lake and put into place a permanent set of structures to control the lake level into the future.
“This week I will appoint an individual to lead the coordination of municipal officials, the Fishing Lake community, Fishing Lake First Nation, landowners and the governments of Manitoba and Canada,” Calvert said. “This work will begin immediately so that construction can begin as early as possible. It is essential that the water level be lowered over the course of this summer. Resources from the province will be made available to complete the work.
“The co-operation from local interests that was required in 1997 to complete this work could not be found at that time. Faced with the reality of this flooding season, we must find a way to move forward.”
Secondly, the province will undertake a thorough review of the drainage patterns surrounding both Waldsea Lake and Fishing Lake to assess the role of drainage in high water levels and to recommend any required changes.
Thirdly, the province will in the next week review and update the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program to ensure that it meets the needs of the individuals, families, municipalities and communities affected by the extraordinary flooding. Details of the renewed program will be announced within two weeks and a team of provincial representatives will be made available in the communities to assist those who will be eligible for the program in making an application.
“I am determined that our program must be structured to meet the real needs of those affected and that it do so as quickly as possible,” Calvert said. “We will be seeking from the federal government their agreement on terms and conditions of the program to ensure the program can help our families and communities as quickly and effectively as possible.”
Several government ministers have toured the affected areas. Corrections and Public Safety Minister Warren McCall and Environment Minister John Nilson toured Fishing Lake and Waldsea Lake last Thursday. Calvert toured and met with residents at both lakes on Friday and Saturday.
“What I and members of my cabinet saw in the region was moving and in the case of Fishing Lake the flooding represents a regional economic disaster,” Calvert said. “I want the people of the region to know we will do all that we can to help them and their families deal with the effects of this year’s extraordinary flooding.”
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For more information, contact:
Jay Branch
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6349
Email: jay.branch@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-539-3994
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