Can anyone tell me how exactly Bill C45 affects the navigational waterways blah, blah, blah that is so contentious? I've quickly gone over the changes and there isn't anything major that I see. There are some "additions" to the Act and clarification as to "definitions" Along with additions, the document I read refers frequently to "existing legislation" so I'm lost as to what the complaint is. Perhaps someone can enlighten me?
Here is an example of water control that has been problematic for both sides of the story:
Agreement to replenish water level at Crooked Lake
REGINA (SNN) -- After three years of gazing at mud flats as Crooked Lake's water level dropped, cottage owners are happy to hear the water level will soon be returning to normal.
By The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon)June 14, 2006
REGINA (SNN) -- After three years of gazing at mud flats as Crooked Lake's water level dropped, cottage owners are happy to hear the water level will soon be returning to normal.
"It's a very exciting day for the Friends of the Qu'Appelle that we have a twoyear interim agreement for Crooked Lake. Now we'll be able to launch our boats and use our boat launches," said cottage owner Randy Durovick, who noted the lake level is expected to rise to 456 metres above sea level this summer, up to one metre higher than the previous three years.
On Monday, Sakimay and Cowessess First Nations signed interim agreements with the federal and provincial governments allowing the Crooked Lake watercontrol structure to operate in 2006 and 2007.
Sakimay received $340,000 and Cowessess $196,000 under the agreement -- a cost shared by the two governments.
Cottage owners, who felt they were caught in the middle of the land claim dispute, now have a better understanding of the issues that are on the table, said Durovick, the Friends of the Qu'Appelle board chair.
"Our position was that we wanted to have an interim agreement in place in 2006 so that there was no further damage to the environment, the fish and their habitat while discussions were ongoing," he said.
Chief federal negotiator Si Halyk said Tuesday the agreement will permit the water-control structure to be operated while negotiations continue toward finding workable, long-term solutions for the future operation of dams along the Qu'Appelle River.
"Before a settlement could be reached there had to be a rapport and trust established amongst the parties and that takes time," said Halyk, who brokered the deal.
In 1942, the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) built water-control structures on Echo, Crooked and Round lakes without the consent of the Cowessess, Sakimay, Pasqua, Muscowpetung, Ochapowace and Kahkewistahaw First Nations, whose lands were flooded by the elevated lake levels.
In 1998, the Indian Claims Commission recommended the federal government either remove the structures on the lakes or negotiate -- whether by surrender or expropriation -- the interests in the land it requires for flooding purposes from all six reserves and compensate the bands for past flood damages.
In 2003, after 61 years of trying to obtain compensation, local First Nations brought the matter to a head by refusing to allow federal PFRA staff on their lands to install stop logs in the structures to maintain summer lake levels.
