Prince Albert Daily Herald
Trees to act as an ecosystem buffer for key areas around the community
Katie Leason, geographic information systems (GIS) coordinator, Cumberland Wood Products, drops off the tree seedings to the Cumberland House Cree Nation. Submitted photo
Pulp and paper company Paper Excellence, which is headquartered in Richmond B.C., has partnered with Cumberland Wood Products (CWP) to plant 1,000 jack pine seedlings in and around Cumberland House.
Jack pine trees are a native species to Saskatchewan, providing a habitat for many plant and animal species. The seedlings planted this year are to provide a natural “ecosystem buffer” for key areas around the northern Saskatchewan community, and to naturally enhance regrowth on Cumberland House Cree Nation territory.
Engineering consultants Clifton Associates did a study of the road in 2020, with recommendations for repairs and to ensure it can withstand industrial weight traffic. The repair of Ebel Road had $100,000 budgeted for this year, but as additional funds are needed to do the repairs needed, funds were requested from an allotment for the repairs to the Highway 13 bridge. As this is no longer the responsibility of the City, funds of $1.2 million were freed up in the budget, and some of the funds will go to the Ebel Road repair. Genco Asphalt had the lowest bid of $541,819, the lower of two bids they made, with four other bids also made for this project.
Saskatchewan awards contract for Lake Diefenbaker irrigation project
Poll
Yes
The Saskatchewan government has awarded its lead engineering contract on the proposed Lake Diefenbaker irrigation expansion to Clifton Associates.
The $4-billion project was announced last summer by the province, which said phases built over the next 10 years would add 2,500 jobs per year and billions to the province’s gross domestic product.
Phase one, estimated to cost $500 million, would see the existing Westside Irrigation system rehabilitated and expanded by 80,000 acres. Phase two would add another 260,000 acres west of Outlook, and northward also to the North Saskatchewan River.
Design work will take place over the next 12 to 18 months, according to the Ministry of Procurement.