The Water Security Agency says no decision has been made on a water diversion project near Quill Lake, and there has been plenty of consultation with First Nations.
Patrick Boyle, spokesman for the Water Security Agency (WSA), was responding to a news release issued by the FSIN on Tuesday which called for a halt to the project, saying First Nations have a treaty right to be consulted. The FSIN also expressed fears the water diversion project could end up contaminating Last Mountain Lake with salt water from Quill Lake during flood years.
Boyle says at this point, the WSA is only gathering information and seeking public input. He also says 16 letters were sent out to local First Nations asking for their input.
“So in that letter the Water Security Agency said it was collecting information and asked the First Nations for their opinion and input on the project,” he said. “We have had one response to date from a First Nation and there is a meeting with that First Nation and the Water Security Agency.”
Boyle says it is not known when a final decision will be made.
He says the fear is that if nothing is done, Quill Lake – which is saline – could flood its banks during a high water year, and end up contaminating a number of fresh-water bodies in the area.