Reviewing Manitoba’’s environmental sustainability initiatives

Manitoba Hydro’s generating station at the junction of Cedar Lake and Lake Winnipeg. The Grand Rapids, Manitoba Indian band has accepted almost $7 million to compensate for a hydro dam that destroyed fishing in the area. Photo: Canadian Press WFP

Since 1999, the Manitoba government has undertaken a number of initiatives designed to promote environmental sustainability and water protection, including:

• Building scientific knowledge: This includes completing the Assiniboine River Study on the health of the river, as well as the nutrient management study on the health of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers and the south basin of Lake Winnipeg. In addition, Manitoba water quality standards, objectives and guidelines have been updated to become among the most comprehensive frameworks in the nation for water protection.
• Stronger livestock regulations and monitoring: New regulations include requirements for all above ground storage tanks, annual water sampling and the regulation of between 600 and 800 additional operations. Previously, only lagoons built after 1994 were inspected and regulated. The government has enhanced staffing to support the inspection process and conduct on-site inspections.
• Drinking water resources, infrastructure and legislation: To protect the quality of drinking water, subsidies for water tests have been re-introduced, new drinking water officers have been hired, a new office of drinking water has been established, $40 million has been invested in drinking water and sewer infrastructure, and new drinking water legislation has been passed to address issues from source to tap.
• Actions to protect Lake Winnipeg: To begin the task of reducing nutrient levels in Lake Winnipeg, new sewage and septic field regulations have been passed and requirements have been introduced for septic field installers. In addition, a riparian tax credit is in effect and soil testing awareness programs have been introduced. High level cross-border meetings have been held with North Dakota and Minnesota officials. Nutrient management is also being built into environmental licensing for municipal sewage treatment facilities. A Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board has been established to further actions to protect the lake.
• Expanding Conservation Districts: These districts are based on local conservation approaches to watershed management and have been expanded from nine to 16 across the province.