Released on January 8, 2014
Ensuring that air quality remains healthy, Environment Minister Ken Cheveldayoff has announced a one-time grant of $40,000 to the Western Yellowhead Air Management Zone (WYAMZ).The WYAMZ – which stretches from east of Saskatoon to Lloydminster, and from north of Meadow Lake to south of Rosetown – will use the funding to manage and improve an established monitoring program that includes real-time air quality data and public access to all data.
“Sustaining the excellent quality of air in our province is a priority for the Government of Saskatchewan, and we are committed to the development of air management zones to support that priority,” Cheveldayoff said. “Air management zones play an important role in protecting our environment and contributing to a better quality of life. They bring together the public, government, industry and other organizations to monitor air quality and find solutions to keep our air clean.”
This year, the WYAMZ received $200,000 in matching federal funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada to purchase four real-time air quality monitors, also known as air pointers. Live air quality and weather conditions are now available on line through air pointers in Meadow Lake, Unity, Maidstone and Kindersley. For details, visit the WYAMZ website at www.wyamz.ca.
“The Western Yellowhead Air Management Zone sincerely appreciates the support of the Ministry of Environment to assist us in the servicing, maintenance and calibration of the four new air pointers in the WYAMZ region,” WYAMZ Executive Director Terry Gibson said. “The air pointers are now installed and operational and will greatly contribute to protecting Saskatchewan’s environment.”
Air management zones are non-profit organizations; membership is voluntary with industry members sharing the funding responsibilities. The province is divided into six zones with two associations currently active: the WYAMZ and Southeast Air Zone. The ministry is working with stakeholders to establish a third zone encompassing the Regina, Moose Jaw and Yorkton areas. For more information on air zone management, visit www.environment.gov.sk.ca/air.
Through its 44 offices across the province, the Ministry of Environment provides science-based solutions, compliance and mitigation measures aimed at protecting the environment, safeguarding communities and helping to meet the challenges of economic growth.
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For more information, contact:
Barb Barootes
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6595
Email: barbara.barootes@gov.sk.ca
Terry Gibson
Western Yellowhead Air Management Zone
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-491-9198
Email: wyamz@sasktel.net