Background to the Great Sand Hills Land Use Strategy Review
In the 1990s, the four rural municipalities in the Great Sand Hills formed a Joint Planning Commission. After years of consultation with local communities, government agencies, industry, and environmentalists, they developed a land use plan for the area. New bylaws mapped out three zoning districts:- open to developments (AR - agriculture reserve)
- sensitive to developments (ES2)
- off-limits to new developments (ES1)
In 2002, Piapot RM #110 withdrew from the Commission and applied for permission to rezone ES1 areas for the purpose of industrial development. Conservation-minded ranchers, environmental groups and others campaigned hard against the proposed re-zoning, and in well-documented written submissions and oral presentations argued persuasively for continued protection of the unique and fragile landscapes of the Sand Hills.
In July 2002, the provincial government turned down the R.M. of Piapot's request and announced a major review of the 1991 Land Use Strategy for the Great Sand Hills. Citizens believed that the government had heard and responded to their desire to protect the Great Sand Hills. When the Great Sand Hills Land Use Strategy Review was announced, Environment Minister Belanger assured people that all concerns would be considered and that the review will also involve interested parties such as environmental groups, stock growers, the petroleum industry and local residents.
The July 19th news release acknowledged the uniqueness of the Great Sand Hills, however its reference to the considerable natural gas potential
and the importance of revenue from the areas are rather disturbing. Furthermore, this review seemed to disregard the Great Sand Hills Planning Commission's land use plan with its strict protection of environmentally sensitive areas, thus threatening to undo the accomplishments of the 1990s.
The Government of Saskatchewan's Biodiversity Action Plan indicates its commitment to protecting all aspects of biodiversity - genetic, species, habitat and ecosystem diversity. Decisions affecting the Great Sand Hills will be a true test of this commitment.
The June 2004 Final Report of the Great Sand Hills Land Use Strategy Review process recommended:- increased acreage and protection levels for environmentally sensitive lands
- that a full environmental assessment of the area be commissioned
- that ongoing ecological monitoring and resource planning be undertaken
- that the "footprint" of gas developments and grazing be minimized
The Saskatchewan government accepted these recommendations in principle, even increasing the area recommended for protection to 360 square kilometres. The Province also said it would honour existing environmental approvals and mineral dispositions and that a major independent environmental study of the area would be commissioned.
Concerns remain, however, about the impacts of gas development on the site.
The Great Sand Hills Environmental Study was released by the government of Saskatchewan in 2007.