[Excerpts from Feb. 18 Manitoba Government News Relase]
A provincial action plan to help protect Lake Winnipeg was announced today by Conservation Minister Steve Ashton. Action under the six-point plan includes:

- establishment of a Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board to help Manitobans identify further actions necessary to reduce nitrogen and phosphorous to pre-1970 levels in the lake by 13 per cent or more, subject to further findings of the Nutrient Management Strategy;

- introduction of new measures to help protect natural growth along the Red and Assiniboine rivers to prevent erosion and reduce nutrient run-off into the rivers to complement the Riparian Areas Tax Credit introduced in 2001;

- provision of a program to expand soil testing to ensure appropriate fertilizer application in both rural and urban settings;

- introduction of a new sewage and septic field regulation that will outline clear standards for the placement of systems;

- development of a shoreline protection project in partnership with Manitoba Hydro to help address erosion concerns; and

- commencement of cross-border nutrient management discussions.

Lake Winnipeg is the 10th largest freshwater body in the world, covering 24,000 square kilometres. It serves a variety of recreation and commercial uses including fishing, angling and boating as well as providing a unique habitat for fish and organisms.

Ashton added that the new Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board will work with the Clean Environment Commission to implement the action plan to ensure public involvement.

Full Release

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