Over the last 30 years, there has been much technological advancement in how companies protect the environment, but no update to how the companies are recognized.

Now a new framework is being worked out for Saskatchewan's environmental code.

"What we're trying to do is streamline the process and remove a lot of the process that doesn't actually add to environmental protection," said Mark Wittrup environmental protection assistant deputy minister, during a stakeholder and First Nations meeting in Saskatoon this afternoon.

The streamlining means there will be less bureaucracy when the environment isn't threatened, he said.

"The higher risk items … won't see a lot of change because those are still the items that need full scrutiny and review before they are allowed to go ahead."
One of the industries on the list of high-scrutiny items is mining.

The framework is being considered the industries that don't pollute as much because of technological advancements over the decades, Wittrup said.

"Some of those will just become registrations, some will be simplified online permitting, and again it depends on the risk" he said.

There are four pieces of legislation that the consultations are addressing: the Environmental Management and Protection Act, the Forest Resources Management Act, the Environmental Assessment Act, and the Management and Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Act.

All four pieces of legislation were passed, but not proclaimed, in the spring 2010 legislative session. Once required sections of the code are completed, the new legislative framework will be brought into effect.

Wittrup said he hopes to have the first edition of the code approved this year.