| New Regulations To Protect Manitoba Water | 02 April 08 |
 Protection of Manitoba's waterways and the health of Lake Winnipeg will be aided by regulation of new water protection areas. Nutrient and fertilizer free buffer zones will be established along every waterway. Water Stewardship Minister Christine Melnick announced buffer zones will be a minimum of 3 meters, 15 meters along drinking water sources including Red and Assiniboine Rivers. Thirty-meter buffer zones will be established around Lake Winnipeg and other vulnerable lakes. "Along with livestock and grain producers, other Manitobans such as cottagers and golf course owners will have clear regulations to guide how nutrients can be applied to land in order to better protect water quality," said Melnick. Algae blooms, high E. coli counts and other problems in Lake Winnipeg forced the government to establish rules, which will take effect January 2009. Further restrictions on lawn fertilizers will be announced later in spring 2008. This is the latest in a series of steps to protect water quality, including banning new or expanded hog barns in much of central and eastern Manitoba, and banning winter spreading of manure by 2013. View March 18, 2008 Manitoba Government press release View March 18, 2008 Canadian Press article Visit Manitoba Water Stewardship Sources: Government of Manitoba, Canadian Press, Winnipeg Sun |
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