FRANCAIS

July 18, 2003

GIMLI--An initiative to save Lake Winnipeg from increasing phosphorus and nitrogen levels moved ahead today with the official announcement of members appointed to the Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board.

Conservation Minister Steve Ashton made the announcement here today with Bill Barlow, chair of the new board.

"This board will provide valuable direction to take further actions necessary to help ensure the future protection of the world’s 10^th largest freshwater body of water," said Ashton. "We must continue to take all measures necessary as supported by ongoing scientific studies."

The first task of the new board under Barlow will be to establish its operating rules and prioritize a variety of issues affecting the health of Lake Winnipeg including shoreline erosion. The board will also be starting on implementation of a riparian protection action plan which will help address concerns of tillage and grazing by livestock on lands adjacent to streams and rivers.

Ashton noted that the establishment of the board was a key commitment under the Lake Winnipeg Action plan announced earlier this year which included establishing a soil-testing awareness program and introducing new sewage and septic field regulations that outline standards for placement of new systems in the proximity of waterways.

Other provincial government water-related initiatives include:

• passing some of the strongest drinking water legislation in North America and investing $40 million in drinking water and sewer infrastructure;
• continuing action to license the City of Winnipeg treatment plant;
• restricting new sewage and septic installations based on soil type, slope and proximity to water;
• introducing the Riparian Tax Credit which encourages the elimination of
  tillage and the limitation of grazing by livestock on lands adjacent to rivers and streams;
• developing an enhanced soil testing awareness program and nutrient management areas that will assist producers and municipalities with local planning and fertilizer application techniques; and
• challenging the Devils Lake and Garrison Diversion projects to help protect Manitoba’s water from invasive species

"As a unique home for fish and organisms, Lake Winnipeg provides a 24,000-square-kilometre area for recreation and commercial uses such as fishing, boating and angling," said Ashton. "A long-term commitment to everyone with a vested interest in water quality will ensure the success of the board’s work."

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LIST OF BOARD MEMBER.

Barlow, Bill, chair (Gimli) - Former mayor of Gimli, currently teaching at Gimli High School.

Brown, Gary (Springfield) - Farmer who was a councillor for the RM of Springfield for 19 years and member of the Cooks Creek Conservation District for 12 years where he served as chair for five years.

Pawley, Chris (Selkirk) - Third term member of Selkirk’s Council and active participant in the Interlake Development Corporation, the Association of Rural Municipalities and the Red River Basin Commission North Chapter.

Russell, Frances (Winnipeg) - Cottage owner on Lake Winnipeg, columnist and author.

Salki, Alex (Winnipeg) - Biologist for the Freshwater Institute and founding member of the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium.

Smith, Bev (Brokenhead FN) - Councillor for Brokenhead FN.

Stagg, Norman (Dauphin River) - Chair of the Lake Winnipeg Commercial Fishermen’s Association.

Wasylowski, Gary (RM of Armstrong) - Beef cattle farmer, reeve of the RM of Armstrong and rural vice-president of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities.

Williamson, Dwight - Manitoba Conservation, manager of the Water Quality Management Section.

Zbigniewicz, Helena - Manitoba Hydro.

Sam Murdock (Fisher River) - Commercial fisherman and chief of the Fisher River FN.

Les Felsch (Ridgeville) - Farmer and member of Keystone Agricultural Producers executive as the District 4 representative.

Robert T. Kristjanson (Gimli) - Commercial fisher on Lake Winnipeg for 67 years.

Andrew Cowan (Winnipeg) - Environmental co-ordinator for the City of Winnipeg.

Ed Schreyer - Former premier of Manitoba.

Vera Mitchell (Winnipeg) - Former chief of Poplar River FN.

Don Sullivan (Winnipeg) - Co-ordinator for the Boreal Forest Network.

Helgi Einarsson (Dauphin River) - Eastern chair of the Northern Association of Community Councils.