WHEREAS the Province of Saskatchewan has provided assistance for flood mitigation and disaster assistance in 2011; and

WHEREAS local municipalities gratefully acknowledge both the financial assistance to restore infrastructure to pre-disaster assistance, and the assistance with temporary and flood mitigation operations; and

WHEREAS there is a greater municipal need for the development, implementation and maintenance for new programs to assist municipalities with permanent solutions for flood and water control situations, where none exist;

BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Ministry of Environment to develop and implement programs to provide assistance for permanent solutions to flood and water concerns.

Response from Honourable Dustin Duncan, Minister of Environment:

The Saskatchewan Government is working with the Federal Government on the development of a long-term flood mitigation program. The discussions are at an early stage and are being led by the Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing. Some of the items the program could cover include flood plain mapping and infrastructure. The Saskatchewan Watershed Authority is also reviewing the Water Control Program and drainage regulation in response to a recent meeting with the SARM board.