Protecting the Commons
Posted: Fri May 07, 2010 11:45 amCrown land sale robs from legacy for our children
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/technology/
Crown+land+sale+robs+from+legacy+children/2992272/story.html
BY JOAN SOGGIE, SPECIAL TO THE STAR PHOENIX MAY 6, 2010
Following is the viewpoint of Soggie, a writer and resident of the Elbow area.
I looked out my dining room window this morning at the pair of great horned owls nesting in the abandoned magpie nest in a spruce tree in the backyard.
Later in the day, I saw a jackrabbit bound up a hill, watched a curious antelope standing stock-still in a field, heard meadowlarks and mourning doves.
Such encounters with wildlife are the norm here, in this village on the shores of Lake Diefenbaker. We expect to see birds and other animals, and are seldom disappointed. We are in the perfect location, surrounded by Crown land that borders this part of the South
Saskatchewan River.
MORE:
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/technology/
Crown+land+sale+robs+from+legacy+children/2992272/story.html
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Don't sell protected land
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/travel/se ... d/2992274/
story.html
BY JOE SCHMUTZ, THE STAR PHOENIX MAY 6, 2010
The provincial government's plan to sell Crown lands en masse should be reconsidered, both for lands with and without legislated protection.
If we are feeling a cash pinch, we all feel it equally. It's OK.
But let's not take the money from public-land assets now and forgo greater opportunities later.
These lands are part of our public institutions. No one has figured out how to make new land.
Many, if not all, countries keep some land under public control. In Saskatchewan, this century-old, public-private partnership is not broken. Public lands can continue to provide wealth for the lessee and rental income for all of us.
Looking forward, public lands could compensate for losses to industrial uses, serve municipalities, and provide parks and recreation -- space where public-good interests can prevail.
MORE: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/travel/se ... d/2992274/
story.html
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Demise of Wildlife Habitat
From: Elaine Hughes
To: CBC Morning Edition
Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 7:35 AM
Subject: Demise of Wildlife Habitat
Consult the people about protecting wildlife habitat? Not with this outfit at the helm!
A million acres for a diamond mine 2 kms from the North Saskatchewan River.
Another million acres for the Jansen potash mine smack on top of a major underground aquifer.
And, now, a million acres taken out of protection to set the stage for sale of more land to compensate for SK Party bad fiscal management in the past....
Protecting the 'commons' is a foreign concept to this government . . . .gotta keep that cash register ringing!
Elaine Hughes
Archerwill, SK
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Avoiding responsibility
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/technology/
Avoiding+responsibility/3016009/story.html
BY R.J. ROGERS, THE STAR PHOENIX MAY 12, 2010
In her reply to The StarPhoenix editorial, Short-sighted of government to sell protected land (SP, April 29), provincial Environment Minister Nancy Heppner defends the sale of these protected lands.
Under the Wildlife Habitat Protection Act, 3.4 million acres of critical wildlife habitat lands were designated with the purpose of preserving these habitats for future generations. Saskatchewan has received international acclaim, as this project is considered one of the most visionary pieces of environmental legislation ever passed.
Numerous groups -- The Nature Society, Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, the First Nations and huge numbers of taxpaying citizens -- all believe in retention of these critical lands for future generations.
Ignoring this heritage, a bill is now before the legislature to amend the intent of WHPA and sell these lands to private sector lease holders as the leases expire. It is well established that once in private hands, little can be done to protect critical habitat from commercial development when land is resold to uncaring owners looking to profit.
The Saskatchewan Party is portraying itself as "green" and environmentally responsible, but this bill is a direct contradiction
of its stance. Immediate profits from the land sales appear to take priority over conservation for future generations.
I would hope that Saskatchewan citizens will object strongly and convince the government to drop this ill-conceived legislation and reaffirm the stewardship role it is expected to play in protecting our natural heritage.
R.J. Rogers, Habitat chair
Saskatoon Wildlife Federation
© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/technology/
Crown+land+sale+robs+from+legacy+children/2992272/story.html
BY JOAN SOGGIE, SPECIAL TO THE STAR PHOENIX MAY 6, 2010
Following is the viewpoint of Soggie, a writer and resident of the Elbow area.
I looked out my dining room window this morning at the pair of great horned owls nesting in the abandoned magpie nest in a spruce tree in the backyard.
Later in the day, I saw a jackrabbit bound up a hill, watched a curious antelope standing stock-still in a field, heard meadowlarks and mourning doves.
Such encounters with wildlife are the norm here, in this village on the shores of Lake Diefenbaker. We expect to see birds and other animals, and are seldom disappointed. We are in the perfect location, surrounded by Crown land that borders this part of the South
Saskatchewan River.
MORE:
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/technology/
Crown+land+sale+robs+from+legacy+children/2992272/story.html
= = = = = =
Don't sell protected land
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/travel/se ... d/2992274/
story.html
BY JOE SCHMUTZ, THE STAR PHOENIX MAY 6, 2010
The provincial government's plan to sell Crown lands en masse should be reconsidered, both for lands with and without legislated protection.
If we are feeling a cash pinch, we all feel it equally. It's OK.
But let's not take the money from public-land assets now and forgo greater opportunities later.
These lands are part of our public institutions. No one has figured out how to make new land.
Many, if not all, countries keep some land under public control. In Saskatchewan, this century-old, public-private partnership is not broken. Public lands can continue to provide wealth for the lessee and rental income for all of us.
Looking forward, public lands could compensate for losses to industrial uses, serve municipalities, and provide parks and recreation -- space where public-good interests can prevail.
MORE: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/travel/se ... d/2992274/
story.html
= = = = = =
Demise of Wildlife Habitat
From: Elaine Hughes
To: CBC Morning Edition
Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 7:35 AM
Subject: Demise of Wildlife Habitat
Consult the people about protecting wildlife habitat? Not with this outfit at the helm!
A million acres for a diamond mine 2 kms from the North Saskatchewan River.
Another million acres for the Jansen potash mine smack on top of a major underground aquifer.
And, now, a million acres taken out of protection to set the stage for sale of more land to compensate for SK Party bad fiscal management in the past....
Protecting the 'commons' is a foreign concept to this government . . . .gotta keep that cash register ringing!
Elaine Hughes
Archerwill, SK
= = = = = =
Avoiding responsibility
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/technology/
Avoiding+responsibility/3016009/story.html
BY R.J. ROGERS, THE STAR PHOENIX MAY 12, 2010
In her reply to The StarPhoenix editorial, Short-sighted of government to sell protected land (SP, April 29), provincial Environment Minister Nancy Heppner defends the sale of these protected lands.
Under the Wildlife Habitat Protection Act, 3.4 million acres of critical wildlife habitat lands were designated with the purpose of preserving these habitats for future generations. Saskatchewan has received international acclaim, as this project is considered one of the most visionary pieces of environmental legislation ever passed.
Numerous groups -- The Nature Society, Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, the First Nations and huge numbers of taxpaying citizens -- all believe in retention of these critical lands for future generations.
Ignoring this heritage, a bill is now before the legislature to amend the intent of WHPA and sell these lands to private sector lease holders as the leases expire. It is well established that once in private hands, little can be done to protect critical habitat from commercial development when land is resold to uncaring owners looking to profit.
The Saskatchewan Party is portraying itself as "green" and environmentally responsible, but this bill is a direct contradiction
of its stance. Immediate profits from the land sales appear to take priority over conservation for future generations.
I would hope that Saskatchewan citizens will object strongly and convince the government to drop this ill-conceived legislation and reaffirm the stewardship role it is expected to play in protecting our natural heritage.
R.J. Rogers, Habitat chair
Saskatoon Wildlife Federation
© Copyright (c) The StarPhoenix