Churchill River Sample Letter

Dear ____________,

The protection of the boreal forest that sweeps across northern Saskatchewan is a huge responsibility that must be shared by each of us. These forests are a source of many critically important benefits for our province, such as clean water and air, sensational recreation and tourism opportunities, and potential for appropriate, sustainable resource development.

No one person, group or ministry can take on the full responsibility for protecting this globally important forest. We must all work together to make protection happen through intelligent planning and decision-making. Few places in the world still have the kind of opportunity we have in Saskatchewan today to protect a globally important forest ecosystem that is still wild and intact.

As you may already know, the Churchill River is a magnificent waterway in the heart of Saskatchewan's boreal forest. The river has been described as the backbone of its huge drainage basin that occupies about half of our forest. An important first step in ensuring the long-term health of the Churchill drainage basin is to establish legal protection along the Churchill River itself. The river would be available for many human uses that take place today such as tourism, hunting, trapping, and fishing, but would be set aside from industrial developments like logging, mining and hydro-electric dams.

At this time, land use plans are zoning the Churchill River for industrial uses such as mining and logging. I urge you to work with your colleagues in cabinet to prevent this zoning from happening and to instead, help create a natural legacy for Saskatchewan that can make our province the envy of the world. The November 2005 Throne Speak identified the importance of this beautiful river. Let's set an example by weaving the economic, social and environmental goals of Saskatchewan into careful planning that will protect our magnificent boreal forests. Protecting the Churchill River would be a gift that no other action your government takes can possibly match for its scale and long-term importance to the province - and to the world.

I look forward to hearing what steps you will be taking to help protect the Churchill River.

Sincerely,

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