If there is any move toward a diversion of flood water from the saline Quill Lakes watershed into the clear waters of Last Mountain Lake watershed, the government has to have comprehensive consultations with affected First Nations first.
The Pasqua First Nation has settled its court application against the Environment Ministry and the Quill Lakes Watershed Association.
The challenge was against the government’s decision last September to exempt the QLWA from the requirements of Saskatchewan’s Environmental Assessment Act.
In January, the Association announced it was withdrawing the project and Chief Matthew Todd Peigan says the First Nation has received assurances from both the QLWA that there will be no more applications for approval of exemption from the Environmental Assessment Act.
Also, the Environment Minister has agreed to notify the public of any application to have any future project exempted from the Act and Chief Piegan says there would also be a full written hearing before any future exemption decision.