The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency, Environment Canada, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans have come to an agreement concerning future flooding issues that affect the province’s fish and fish habitat. The agreement comes in relation to a legal dispute between Environment Canada and the Water Security Agency, wherein the WSA sued Environment Canada over a dam meant to halt the flow of saline water into Lenore Lake caused flooding in nearby farmers’ fields. Under the agreement, Environment Canada will give $4 million to the WSA to aid efforts to protect Lenore Lake, and all flooding issues will be dealt with ‘through discussion and joint agreement,’ according to a Government of Saskatchewan press release.

“A natural disaster like a flood will always create hardship, whether it’s for upstream or downstream landowners or the environment,” said Ken Cheveldayoff, Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan WSA. “I am very pleased that we were able to reach an amicable agreement with our federal colleagues creating a system that ensures we resolve future issues cooperatively.”

Saskatchewan has spent around $7 million in dealing with the flooding caused by the dam, including land purchasing costs and the rebuilding of part of a grid road that was washed out. The region, which is still dealing with flooding, is hoping that some of the money from Environment Canada can go towards developing a drainage system for the area.

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