Resolution No. 22-02M

WHEREAS, when maintaining or rebuilding municipal roads, The Wildlife Habitat Protection Act and regulations restricts any alteration of wildlife habitat lands to no more than 25 meters from the center line of the road; and

WHEREAS, the restriction of the 25 meters from the center line of the road is inadequate for back sloping and materials when reconstructing heavy haul roads or in areas where borrow materials are not otherwise available within a reasonable distance of the construction project; and 

WHEREAS, the regulations place unreasonable restrictions on municipal reconstruction practices and contribute to increased construction costs and discourage economic development in rural Saskatchewan;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that SARM urge the province to amend section 13(2) of The Wildlife Habitat Lands Disposition and Alteration Regulations increasing the 25 meter restriction to 40 meters from the center line of the road on wildlife habitat lands for municipal road building.

Response From Honourable Buckley Belanger:

Saskatchewan Environment (SE) was not aware that the current 25 metre allowance for the maintenance or rebuilding of municipal roads has placed unreasonable restrictions within some municipalities. Section 7 of The Wildlife Habitat Protection Act does provide authority for habitat alterations beyond those described in the Regulations. However, SE is prepared to discuss this issue further with SARM representatives to determine the extent of the issue and, if necessary, amend the current standards.