Keep Clear Lake open after zebra mussel scare: province to feds

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This article was published 09/04/2024 (555 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The province’s natural resources minister is urging his federal colleagues to reconsider an option to ban boats at Clear Lake this summer because of zebra mussels.

Jamie Moses says closing the lake to boat traffic will have a significant impact on Clear Lake residents, its tourism sector, the local economy, and families across Manitoba.

“Our government is concerned by the lack of consultation from Parks Canada with communities, residents, businesses, and local and Indigenous governments before undertaking this important decision,” a letter sent Tuesday to federal Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault says.

Parks Canada is “considering all options” to prevent the spread of zebra mussels in the Riding Mountain National Park’s waterways — including closing off the lake to watercraft — after finding evidence of the invasive species last November.

“Management decisions are founded on Parks Canada’s legislated mandate and commitment — as a first priority — to protect ecological integrity and are informed by studies, monitoring and scientific data. Parks Canada is working closely with partners and other jurisdictions to ensure the most appropriate, evidence-based decisions,” a notice on the federal government’s website says.

Since the discovery, officials have conducted two sets of water sample tests at Clear Lake for the mollusks. Though both sets of tests were negative for any DNA, Parks Canada’s website says zebra mussels could still be present.

Clear Lake sees more than 300,000 visitors annually, according to Parks Canada data.

Zebra mussels were first detected in the province in 2013 in Lake Winnipeg, and have slowly spread to other waterways through “human-induced movement” such as attaching to boats and other watercraft, the province’s website says. An infestation can cause irreversible ecological damage.

The province’s 2024 budget set aside $500,000 to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, Moses said.

In response to the potential closure, Progressive Conservative environment critic Greg Nesbitt and Tory natural resources critic Rick Wowchuk blamed the spread of zebra mussels on the NDP’s heel-dragging while in office.

In an emailed statement, Nesbitt and Wowchuk called on the New Democrats to add boat inspection stations at Dauphin and Russell, in addition to conducting regular water sampling.

“The federal government is making unilateral decisions because the previous NDP government failed to take zebra mussels seriously when they first arrived in Manitoba,” the email said. “We need the government, boaters, and everyone else playing in and on Manitoba’s waterways to get on board to protect Clear Lake and Riding Mountain National Park.”

The Parks Canada website says no decision has been made regarding the use of Clear Lake for 2024.

“Parks Canada remains committed to making the best decision based on available scientific evidence in combination with input received from stakeholders. Parks Canada also understands the importance of Clear Lake to Indigenous Peoples, visitors, and the local community,” the notice reads.

— with files from Carol Sanders

nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca

Letter from Honourable Jamie Moses to Honourable Steven Guilbeault