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The Manitoba government is implementing new nutrient targets to safeguard the province’s lakes and rivers, marking a significant milestone in water quality protection.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Tracy Schmidt made the announcement today, highlighting the initiative's importance for future generations.
“This is a major step forward in water quality protection for Manitobans,” said Schmidt in a media release. “This regulation for Lake Winnipeg and its tributaries sets the first-ever formal nutrient reduction target for improving water quality in Manitoba’s history. Establishing nutrient targets for our cherished rivers and lakes is essential in protecting those waterways for generations to come.”
The Nutrient Targets Regulation, established under the Water Protection Act, will apply to Lake Winnipeg as well as the Red, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, and Dauphin rivers. The regulation mandates regular progress reports on efforts to reduce nutrient levels in these waterbodies, providing a measurable benchmark for the province's water protection goals.
“Establishing and implementing nutrient targets will help Manitoba’s collective water quality efforts by guiding future nutrient reduction activities and best management practices, identifying priorities and helping track progress and outcomes over time,” Schmidt added.
Recent decades have seen a rise in nitrogen and phosphorus levels in Lake Winnipeg and its tributaries, contributing to the increased occurrence of algal blooms. These blooms, which can be toxic, pose significant economic, health, and environmental risks, contaminating beaches, reducing water quality, and negatively impacting the communities and industries that depend on these waterways.
Ted Preister, executive director of the Red River Basin Commission, welcomed the new regulation, calling it a vital step in uniting Manitobans to address the threats facing the province’s waters. “Provincial leadership in setting these goals is a major driver in promoting further action throughout the basin,” said Preister.
Rick Préjet, chair of Manitoba Pork, also expressed support for the initiative. “Farmers, including those in Manitoba’s hog sector, are taking significant steps to help address today’s environmental challenges, including the protection of our lakes and waterways across the province,” Préjet said. “Having reliable data is a key step on this path forward.”
The province says the regulation is expected to play a crucial role in protecting Manitoba’s waterways, ensuring that they remain healthy and vibrant for years to come.