Minister's Response

Date: December 13, 2019

Project:

The Willows Creek conservation and Development Area Authority, on behalf of a group of landowners holding property in the area, is proposing to repair an existing drainage network, located approximately 30 kilometres northeast of Melfort, near the community of Brooksby, Saskatchewan. The drainage network diverts surface water from agricultural lands from the Carrot River Watershed to the Carrot River to allow agricultural development of the drained lands. The project would operate indefinitely and consists of the construction of eight new flood control structures, erosion control structures, and velocity control structures, including drop structures with no anticipated increase to diversion capacity.

Decision:

Non-designated project

Reasons:

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change has considered the potential for the project to cause adverse effects within federal jurisdiction, adverse direct or incidental effects, public concern related to these effects, as well as adverse impacts on the Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. The Minister also considered the analysis of the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.

The Minister has reached the decision that the designation of the Project is unwarranted for the following reasons:

  • the regulatory review processes that currently apply to the Project and related consultations with Indigenous Peoples provide a robust framework to address the potential adverse aforementioned effects and concerns raised by Indigenous Peoples and members of the public. This includes:
    • licences, permits and approvals required for the Project pursuant to the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency Act, Water Security Agency Regulations and Agricultural Water Management Strategy sets requirements to ensure that environmental effects are localized and mitigated within provincial jurisdiction;
  • the Project must comply with relevant provisions of federal legislation, including the Fisheries Act, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, the Species at Risk Act and the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994.

 

Document Reference Number: 1

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