| Controversial Water Project Comments Extended | 21 April 06 |
 The Red River Valley Water Supply Project (RRVWSP) is a $500 million to $2.3 billion water diversion currently under review; a draft environmental impact statement was released January 2006. The public comment period was to close March 31, but was extended once to April 14 and now remains open. Various options for future water supply in the Red River Valley are listed in the RRVWSP draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). However several options involve diverting water from the Missouri River and reviving aspects of the ill-fated Garrison Diversion Project. The controversy stems from the potential transfer of foreign biota from the Missouri River Basin that could have devastating implications for the already precarious health of Lake Winnipeg and in particular for the Lake Winnipeg fishery. The International Joint Commission (IJC) studied the Garrison Diversion and in 1977 advised that it should not proceed. The governments of Manitoba and Canada have indicated that they prefer an in-basin option to address future water supply needs of the Red River Valley and have recently called for the IJC to ensure independent review. View April 14, 2006 Manitoba Wildlands submission on the Red River Valley Water Supply Project draft environmental impact statement (PDF) View March 1, 2006 Manitoba Wildlands news item on the Red River Valley Water Supply Project Visit the Red River Valley Water Supply Project and EIS web site Visit the Dakotas Areas Office, Bureau of Reclamation, US Department of the Interior web site Sources: US Bureau of Reclamation, Manitoba Wildlands |
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