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BEAVER CONTROL PROGRAM
Program Guidelines
2015 - 2016
Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM)
Purpose of the Program:
The purpose of the Beaver Control Program (BCP) is to provide financial assistance to rural municipalities
(RMs) and First Nations Bands, south of the Northern Administrative District, to control the beaver
population in their respective jurisdictions.
Background:
Beavers and the structures that they create can cause many issues in agricultural areas, as they can lead to the
flooding of property and roads that can be a public safety concern. Beaver dams can also cause the flooding of
croplands, which can have a negative financial impact on property owners. Beavers can also block culverts
causing the obstruction of waterways; in some areas this will be of greater concern this year, with higher than
normal water levels expected across the province. The beavers involved in this sort of damage are defined as
problem beavers.
Program Administration and Budget:
The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is administering the BCP on behalf of the
Province. The program is designed to achieve maximum results and accountability, while keeping
administrative requirements for RMs and eligible First Nations Bands to a minimum. Funding for the
program is provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Federal Government under Growing Forward 2, in
the amount of $500,000, to continue the program for a fifth year (April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016) where
$450,000 will be available for distribution to participating RMs and eligible First Nations Bands.
Program Outline:
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The program will provide a cost-shared payment to RMs and First Nations Bands located south of the
Northern Administrative District that operates a beaver removal program.
The program will pay for adult beavers removed between March 1, 2015 and February 14, 2016.
RMs will authorize individuals to remove problem beavers. These designated individuals, authorized
to remove the problem beavers, will deliver the beaver tails to their designated RM or First Nation
official(s) who will mark them (paint or notch).
RMs and eligible First Nations Bands will receive $15 per beaver removed. Compensation provided to
the designated individual must be a minimum of $30 for the removal of each problem beaver, in order
to receive the $15 in matching funds from the BCP.
To participate, RMs and eligible First Nations Bands will be required to submit an application by May 31,
2015.
SARM will calculate a minimum eligible funding amount for each RM and eligible First Nations Band,
based on the number of applications received. In order to target areas of high population, applicants
who have met or exceeded claim maximums in the previous year, and who reported expenses
exceeding $4,400.00, will be allocated an initial $5500.00 per RM, or First Nations Band. The
remaining unallocated funds will be divided by the number of remaining applicants, and a maximum
claim amount determined.
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Any program funds remaining after claims have been submitted will be further divided amongst
participating municipalities and First Nations Bands for additional beavers removed over and above the
initial approved amount, compensated up to 50 per cent, to a maximum of $15 per beaver.
Designated individuals must provide legal land descriptions of where the beavers were removed to
their designated RM or First Nation official, who will record them for reporting purposes.
RMs and First Nations Bands will complete and submit all claim forms to SARM, no later than Monday,
February 15, 2016.
Eligibility:
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Only RMs and First Nations Bands located south of the Northern Administrative District may access this
funding.
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RMs must have passed a bylaw allowing beavers to be hunted in the municipality, and filed a certified copy
of the bylaw with the Ministry of Environment, as per section 4 of The Wildlife Regulations, 1981. About
219 RMs have already completed this process. To determine if this was already done by your RM, please
refer to the document entitled “Rural Municipalities Where Beavers May Be Hunted”. To file a certified
copy electronically, please email [email protected] or fax with attention to Mike Gollop at (306) 9335773.
Note: This bylaw is not required of First Nations Bands.
Verification of fulfillment of program requirements may be requested, random audits may be conducted,
and information on specific reporting measures may also be requested.
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No other government grant, rebate, or assistance program can be received by the RM or First Nations
Band with relation to the expenditures subject to this program.
Application Process:
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RMs and First Nations Bands MUST apply each year in order to be eligible.
RMs and eligible First Nations Bands must complete the following prior to sending in their application form:
o Pass a resolution of council to participate in the program; and
o Authorize individuals for the removal of problem beavers.
Complete and submit an application form to SARM no later than May 31, 2015. Please note that
application forms MUST be received by the SARM office prior to the end of the day noted above, for an RM
or First Nations Band to be eligible for the program.
Application forms must be submitted to SARM by fax at (306) 565-2141, or by email, to Annette Ellert at
[email protected] to ensure that they are received before the deadline.
Making a Claim:
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Complete and submit claim form(s) to SARM, no later than Monday, February 15, 2016.
Key Dates:
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March 1, 2015 - February 14, 2016 - Eligible timeframe for beaver removal
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May 31, 2015 - Program application form due to SARM
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June 30, 2015 - SARM will notify RMs and First Nations Bands of approvals and initial minimum
eligibility amount
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February 15, 2016 - Deadline for RMs and First Nations Bands to submit claim form(s) to SARM
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March 31, 2016 - Final funding dispersal date
If the deadline to submit an application or claim form falls on a statutory holiday or weekend, the deadline
would move to the next business day.
For more information on the Beaver Control Program please contact:
Annette Ellert at (306) 761-3744 or email: [email protected]