Saskatchewan rural municipalities are getting $500,000 to help deal with beaver problems.
The increasing number of beavers and dams is resulting in more damage across the province. Two resolutions presented to delegates at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities convention in Saskatoon this week called for a bounty on the rodents and assistance to help RMs and landowners remove dams and repair infrastructure.
The funding will be available through a one-year pilot program administered by SARM.
Agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud announced the program today.
The number of pelts taken by licensed trappers has dramatically declined from 28,500 in 2000 to 11,250 last year. Lower pelt prices are mainly to blame.
The minister also announced funding for several other programs that SARM administers.
An additional $150,000 has been added to the rat control program, for a total of $750,000.
SARM will also continue to receive $50,000 for wild boar control.
The gopher control rebate program continues for the next year. Producers and RMs are eligible for a 50 percent rebate on eligible gopher control products.
The federal government has also approved the province’s request to extend the emergency registration of two percent liquid strychnine for 2011.
