Interim Deal Reached In First Nations’ Dam Dispute
Thursday, June 15, 2006 at 14:41
The chief of one of two First Nations involved in a dispute over the operation of a dam in southern Saskatchewan says he’s determined to get this issue resolved sooner rather than later.
Sakimay Chief Lindsey Kaye says that’s why he wanted an interim agreement signed this week to last just two years.
Sakimay and Cowessess signed a deal with the federal and provincial governments to have a resumption of operations at the Crooked Lake dam.
It will mean water levels on Crooked Lake will be up one metre this summer and next summer– welcome news for area cottagers and farmers that had been up in arms over the low water levels.
The bands had stopped damming the water three years ago over concerns about flooding in their traditional land and the slow pace of compensation talks.
Kaye says while some cottage owners have been calling for the operations at the dam to resume, others have had a change of heart — because letting the water flow unimpeded seems to have improved the quality of the water.
He adds that if negotiations on a final agreement don’t get serious, this issue could remain unresolved for 10 to 15 years.