Manitoba's Interests Regarding Transboundary Water Projects

Background:

Water resources within the Manitoba portion of the Hudson Bay drainage basin are extremely valuable. More than one million Manitobans live in the basin, with approximately 100,000 relying directly on the Red River, Souris River, and Assiniboine River as sources of drinking water. Lake Winnipeg, the 10th largest freshwater lake in the world, supports a commercial fishery with a direct, landed value estimated to be over $15,000,000 annually. About 800 commercial fishing licenses have been issued for Lake Winnipeg, many of these to First Nations peoples. In many cases, fishing is their major source of income. Sport anglers spend another $10 to $15 million annually in this region. The Red River is the single most important sport fishing destination in Manitoba and accounts for nearly 20 % of the total value of this $80 million industry. In addition, there is an important bait fish harvest in the Red River and the south basin of Lake Winnipeg that returns about $200,000 annually to licensed fishers.

The issue of biota transfer has become a major concern throughout North America, in part due to the major economic and environmental impacts associated with invasive species. This issue is recognized as one of the most formidable environmental challenges facing governments in North America. An Executive Order on Invasive Species was issued by the President of the United States in early 1999, highlighting the serious nature of the issue and providing direction for preventive and coordinated actions. In Canada, many jurisdictions (including Manitoba) have developed either policies or legislation that oppose interbasin water transfers because of their potential for severe environmental damage. Both the United States and Canada are working cooperatively in many areas to control invasive species through ballast water programs, sharing of scientific information, regional cooperation to implement the US Aquatic Nuisance Species Act, plus others.

Consequences of the transfer of biota between basins cannot be accurately predicted with the present level of our understanding. But there are many precedents world over that argue against indiscriminate introductions of species into new areas.

Among the harmful effect of introductions are competition of the invaders with native species and introduction of new parasites, new diseases or new, more efficient predators. For general information on Invasive Species in Manitoba check this link.

Economic losses can be staggering. A 1999 U.S. study estimates damages and losses caused by invading foreign species adding up to more than $138 billion per year.

Zebra mussels cause damage in the U.S. that is estimated at $3 billion annually. The mussels have not yet invaded the Hudson Bay drainage area, but an impact of similar magnitude can be expected should zebra mussels make their way into the Hudson Bay basin.

Degradation of water quality is also a possible effect of interbasin water transfers. Among the possible concerns are increases in dissolved salts, suspended sediments, nutrients, trace elements and pesticides.