SASKATOON – The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (WSA) is launching its first ever online consultation forum to create a new drainage policy for the province.
Agricultural drainage includes activities on farmland to remove or reduce water on land or just below the surface in order to improve or facilitate production.
WSA says drainage has been of significant concern among many stakeholders including farmers, rural municipalities, and environmental organizations.
The online forum will provide the WSA with important information and insight as they develop new policy and regulations needed to address licensing requirements, downstream flooding, damage complaints and the environment.
“We committed to developing new approaches and regulations on agricultural drainage in the 25 Year Saskatchewan Water Security Plan and this is a major step in that direction,” said Ken Cheveldayoff, the minister responsible for WSA.
Panelists will be able to submit input on the development of a new agricultural drainage policy and discuss issues with other farmers, the Saskatchewan government, and community organizations.
The WSA hired Saskatoon-based Insightrix Research to create the online engagement forum. In addition, Insightrix will conduct periodic surveys throughout the process to gauge participant opinion.
Farmers, ranchers and landowners with an interest in agricultural drainage or people impacted by it can sign up now.
The forum will be active from Sept. 1 until the end of March 2014.
Comments