FSIN calls for 'hold' on Kutawagan Creek diversion plan

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations is adding its voice to those expressing concern over a project that would divert water from the Quill Lakes, known as the Kutawagan Creek diversion project.

In a statement issued Tuesday, a vice-chief of the FSIN, Bobby Cameron, said the provincial government's Water Security Agency needs to pause the project so that it can be studied and to allow for consultation of First Nations communities.

"The Water Security Agency currently does not have the necessary information to accurately assess whether there is a potential for adverse impacts to our treaty and S.35 rights," Cameron said in the statement.

The reference to S.35 concerns the section of the Canadian Constitution that affirms the rights of aboriginal peoples.

"There are 16 First Nations within the region of the Quill Lakes, Last Mountain Lake and Lower Qu'Appelle Valley whose treaty and inherent hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering rights could be directly impacted by this project," Cameron said. "The Saskatchewan government should not proceed without having the proper information and a plan to mitigate any impacts this project would have on the rights of these First Nations."

The Water Security Agency has proposed the Kutawagan project to deal with record high water levels on Big Quill Lake and Little Quill Lake, caused by heavy precipitation and run off, and subsequent flooding.

The FSIN expressed concern about the mingling of different bodies of water.

"At the current high water levels there is an increased risk of Big Quill Lake filling to its spill point resulting in saline water from Big Quill Lake flowing downstream towards Last Mountain Lake," the statement said.

As background to its concern, the FSIN statement said the project "includes construction of a berm isolating Big Quill Lake from the area to the southwest. The project also proposes to construct a channel and outlet structure by the natural spill point. This proposed project is designed to divert water from entering Big Quill by isolating the Kutawagan Creek region from Big Quill Lake and providing an outlet towards Last Mountain Lake. Water flowing south from the project would be from the Kutawagan Creek area, which has lower salinity than that of Big Quill Lake."

That work, however, appears to be proceeding at a much too rapid pace for the FSIN.

"We are deeply concerned that the WSA is planning to begin construction on this project in the Fall of 2015 without first having an environmental assessment in place to determine what the effects of the project will be on the fish habitats and the hay lands of the First Nations in the Lower Qu'Appelle Valley," Cameron said. "The WSA must immediately put this project on hold."

The FSIN requested a meeting with officials to discuss the matter.