Municipal Capacity Development Program and Waterwolf

WaterWolf – Making History by ML Whittles

March 31, 2009 - just another day of a long dreary winter for many, but not for the forty-five municipal government representatives who will be gathered to take over the reins of one of the most visionary projects in the Province.

WaterWolf realizes that building strong communities for long-term prosperity, environmental health and social well-being depends on managing change, and promoting efficient land use and development patterns. This, in turn, supports strong, livable and healthy communities, protects the environment, public health and safety, stimulates economic growth, and sustains municipal financial well-being over the long term.

WaterWolf, initiated by MidSask REDA/CFDC in 2005, was established to address issues of capacity building, evidence based decision making, long-term planning and investment readiness for the region. By mid-March all but 6 of the villages within the region had committed to WaterWolf and Project Manager, Russ McPherson, believes there will be 100% commitment.

Partnering with SUMA/SARM, Water Wolf was able to secure two land use planners who were made available through the Municipal Capacity Development Program until March 2009. Armed with felt markers and good intentions, the first seven rural municipalities were initially approached. A starting point needed to be identified and the common denominator appeared to be one of the regions greatest assets, the South Saskatchewan River and its valley. The municipalities surrounding the river valley were engaged. Each municipality was asked to look at their land base with a view to identifying potential land use. What did they see their municipality looking like in fifty years down the line. Where could they see the establishment of agriculture ventures such as intensive livestock operations and, at the other end of the spectrum, where would the growing rural residential demand be established, especially for those closest to Saskatoon or some of the larger urban centres in the region. Interest continued to grow until WaterWolf finally covered an area equivalent to one-quarter the size of Nova Scotia.

As part of the Water Wolf mandate, Denise Guillet, the Geographic Information System (GIS) technician shared by MidSask REDA/CFDC and WaterWolf, has been focused on ‘mapping’ the information obtained from the municipalities and the immediate area surrounding Lake Diefenbaker and the river valley. Denise has been layering every detail within each square acre of the participating region. Eventually every road, community, golf course, hotel, restaurant, pasture and lagoon, together with all amenities will be identified. See map at www.waterwolf.org

WaterWolf realized that in order to build strong communities for long-term prosperity, environmental health and social well-being depends on managing change and promoting efficient land use and development patterns. This supports strong, livable and healthy communities, protects the environment, public health and safety, stimulates economic growth and sustains municipal financial well-being over the long term.

1) The WaterWolf Planning District will have a land use concept plan that generally outlines the future land uses that may develop over time.
2) The District will promote itself as a desirable location for future economic activity, employment opportunities, residential growth and a major tourism destination.
3) It will help identify development opportunities that will improve the enjoyment, health and well-being for its residents and communities.
4) Detail planning areas that acknowledge the need for environmental management of the South Saskatchewan River Watershed.
5) Provide an inter-municipal framework to assist in the mutual implementation of land development, economic development, transportation systems and infrastructure.
6) Maintain and enhance relationships amongst local levels of government for a sustainable region through ongoing partnerships with government agencies, respectful of municipal autonomy.
7) It will act as a body for open lines of communication to continue to develop between urban and rural municipalities and the first nation, to share experience, innovative ideas, and best practices to resolve conflict and pursue opportunities for regional benefit.
8) WaterWolf will support agricultural activities whether on prime production lands, irrigation areas with substantial investment or cooperatively managed pasture lands when development opportunities challenge their continuity.
9) It will promote and strengthen the rural municipalities and rural communities of the District.
10) Encourage high quality residential development land use clusters and corridors that respond to varied needs through desirable densities and sustainable servicing provision.
11) Facilitate the optimum use of the District’s recreation resources while considering their physical limitations and provide areas for non-residential development that serves the community population and the surrounding area.
12) It will ensure that urban communities may continue to expand and that adjacent land uses and activities do not endanger the viability, health, safety or welfare of the community.

An executive was chosen March 31 from the participating municipalities. Sitting for the first term is David Cross, Mayor, Village of Elbow; Kevin Vollmer, Reeve, R.M. of Loreburn; Yvonne Arnsten, Administrator, R.M. of Fertile Vally; Nick Patkau, Reeve, R.M. of Rosedale; Joyce Aitken, Administrator, Town of Central Butte; Tony Peter, Councilor, Town of Outlook; M.L. Whittles, Vice-Chair, Waterwolf; Edna Laturnus, Administrator, R.M. of Canaan and Village of Lucky Lake; Sylvia Matwe, Mayor, Village of Riverhurst and Donald Shirtliff, Councilor, R.M. of Victory.

There is much work left to be done in order to ensure the stability of WaterWolf moving forward into the future. With the creation of an executive of ten representatives directly from the municipal bodies together with the assistance of MidSask the foundation for future development and a framework for sustainability is ensured.