July 26, 2004

The Province of Manitoba is contributing $140,000 to the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium, which will spend the summer researching the lake’s water quality, fish populations and other aquatic life from aboard the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Namao.

"As part of the government’s further commitment to reversing the toll of human activity on Lake Winnipeg and to protect the lake, we need to understand what effect our activities have on this important lake," said Water Stewardship Minister Steve Ashton. "We have to understand its health in order to understand its future.

"Lake Winnipeg is a spectacular asset that we must safeguard for the benefit of future generations. It is the world’s 10^th largest freshwater body of water and contributes more than $150 million annually to our economy through tourism and our commercial and sport fishery."

Today’s announcement of $140,000 includes $90,000 from Water Stewardship and $50,000 from Manitoba Hydro. Since 1999, the provincial government has provided nearly $200,000 for the Namao and has spent close to $1 million on Lake Winnipeg research in partnership with other participants in the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium. In addition, Manitoba Hydro has provided more than $300,000 in direct grants to the Namao in the last three years.

The Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium was incorporated in August 2001 and includes participants from academic, federal, provincial and private agencies. Its goal is to facilitate multi-disciplinary research on the lake. This funding will allow Manitoba Water Stewardship and other participants in the consortium to continue this research through the operation of the Namao.

"Research is extremely important in guiding us as we manage the environment and natural resources of the lake," Ashton said. "Lake Winnipeg, like all of our lakes, contributes to quality of life in Manitoba. We are fortunate that summertime in Manitoba means enjoying lakes and parks that are easily accessible. We want to ensure we can enjoy our province’s natural beauty for generations to come."

Funding for the Namao is part of the province’s strategy to restore Lake Winnipeg water quality to 1970 levels. Manitoba has introduced the Water Protection Act and, earlier this month, Water Stewardship announced $1 million for new water initiatives, with a focus on Lake Winnipeg.

New and ongoing initiatives include:

·         a dedicated website on the health of Lake Winnipeg including incidents affecting water quality;

·         an invitation from the Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board (LWSB) to stakeholders including cottage owners, municipalities, community groups, farm groups and First Nations to look at immediate steps they can take to protect Lake Winnipeg;

·         enhanced support for the work of the LWSB;

·         solution-oriented targeted testing and scientific research building on last summer’s water quality testing at Lake Winnipeg beaches;

·         a clean beaches program to educate and encourage the public and municipalities to help keep beaches clean; and

·         a new initiative providing information to communities and lakeside residents on what individuals can do to help protect the lake.

"Lake Winnipeg is a precious resource that receives drainage from an enormous watershed," Ashton concluded. "It is important that we all work together to ensure that we improve and maintain the health of our largest lake."

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