WHEREAS many rural municipalities have seen an increase in flooded roads and other lands due to the high beaver population and excessive moisture;

WHEREAS the cost to remove beaver dams is a substantial cost to rural municipalities; and

WHEREAS the funding allocated for beaver dam removal under the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Channel Clearing Assistance Program was cut back this year;

BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Provincial Government to honour the full 50% cost share funding under the Channel Clearing Assistance Program.

Response from Honourable Dustin Duncan, Minister of Environment:   

In 2010, requests for assistance under the Channel Clearing program significantly exceeded the budget. The Authority continued to provide a 50 per cent cost share for works approved, but due to the high program demand, they were unable to share in all of the projects submitted by the applicants. The applicants were given the option of doing all of the work submitted but only receiving 50 per cent cost sharing on a portion of the work, or to reduce the amount of work undertaken in order to receive full cost sharing. I appreciate that this created an additional challenge for local governments, but I am advised that given the wet conditions this fall, a variety of planned projects were likely not completed. If the Authority determines that surplus funds are available in the program at fiscal year end, attempts to top up the grant to the full 50 per cent to applicants will be considered. In addition, your request for additional resources for channel clearing will be considered as the 2011-12 budget is developed.