A regular meeting of the Weyburn City Council was held on June 28; here are the major points of interest:
*Council approved an annual membership fee of $5,000 to join the Upper Souris Watershed Association (USWA).
Some of the key actions of the USWA is storm water management, identifying spring siltation problems, supporting agri-enviromental groups, working with agriculture producers to improve water quality, raising awareness in the oil and gas industry, drought contingency planning, proper disposal of unused pharmaceuticals and locating and decommissioning abandoned wells. The USWA is planning to hold well decommissioning demonstrations at Midale and Ocean Man this summer.
This year, the USWA, in partnership with the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, is planning to implement the Souris River Erosion Control Project to help reduce erosion and siltation.
Two flax bale erosion control structures will be placed along the Souris River, upstream of Nickle Lake. The structures consist of flax bales placed on the ground, a layer of rock and a wire enclosure. This is held in place with hooked re-bar and is estimated to last 30 years.
*Councillor Nancy Styles, chair of the Environmental Resource Committee, stated that the City's Household Hazardous Waste Day in May was very successful, seeing 54 vehicles dropping off items at the City Works Department. She went on to say that one resident brought in 0.3 kilograms of mercury.
"The Hazardous Waste Technicians stated that it was enough mercury to contaminate Nickle Lake so much so that you wouldn't be able to eat the fish or swim in the lake," said Styles. "If the mercury would have went to the landfill, the City would be dealing with soil contamination."
*Council received a request to serve alcohol at a fundraising cabaret at Crescent Point Place from Stephanie Ward. The Primary Care Paramedic is planning the fundraiser for October 30 to raise funds for Terry Fowler, a Weyburn resident that was involved in an accident in October 2009 that has left him with no feeling in his legs.
The cabaret will have a Halloween theme with a D.J. and auction.
