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Lake Friendly Accord

Lake Friendly Accord • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •. Presentation Overview. Water Quality Challenges Action Underway Lake Friendly Accord and the Lake Friendly Stewards Alliance Update on zebra mussels.

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Lake Friendly Accord

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  1. Lake Friendly Accord • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

  2. Presentation Overview • Water Quality Challenges • Action Underway • Lake Friendly Accord and the Lake Friendly Stewards Alliance • Update on zebra mussels

  3. Algal Blooms - Not Just a Lake Winnipeg Issue Nakamun Lake University of Alberta Pigeon Lake CTV News Edmonton Minnesota Stump Lake, North Dakota

  4. Why are algal blooms an issue? • Reduced recreational appeal • Economic and social impacts • Degraded aquatic habitat - low dissolved oxygen • Clog fishing nets • Drinking water problems - taste and odour • Toxic algae

  5. Action is Underway to Reduce Nutrients • Manitoba – Lake Winnipeg Action Plan, Lake Friendly in 50 Ways • Canadian Federal Government – Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative • Minnesota – Nutrient Reduction Strategy released • North Dakota – Developing a Nutrient Reduction Strategy • Local watershed boards, municipalities, CDs • Transboundary efforts

  6. What else is Manitoba doing to reduce nutrients? • Action across sectors and the watershed • Standards and legislation • Investments • Managing water on the land • Supporting science • Incentives and education • Leadership, coordination and cooperation

  7. Lake Winnipeg - Total Phosphorus Phosphorus Objective – South Basin Baseline 1800 - 1900 South Basin - Average open water season

  8. Shared Solution? Lake Friendly Accord • The Accord is a commitment to the shared goal of improving water quality by reducing nutrients in waterways through the engagement of all. • Intended to inspire action, coordinate our efforts, and promote leadership to ensure the protection of water quality for all, in all waterways. • The Accord will provide a framework for all stakeholders to identify actions that they can take to reduce nutrient loading and to improve water quality. • No duplication of effort.

  9. Lake Friendly Accord • Broad, general document • Sets out goal and eight objectives • Pledge to meet goal and objectives • No reference to Lake Winnipeg in main text of Accord – applicable to all waterways • Recognizes existing work underway

  10. Commit to develop specific actions with timelines Commitments will form an Annex to the Accord Signatories will agree to report on progress at least on an annual basis Target audience includes general public, stakeholders, governments, etc.

  11. Lake Friendly Stewards Alliance • Intended to support the Lake Friendly Accord • The Alliance provides one of the key forums needed to: • facilitate information sharing; • enhance collaboration and coordination; • improve reporting and accountability; • increase efficiencies and technology transfer; and • enhance stewardship and economic opportunities. • Broad representation from federal, provincial, municipal, First Nations and Métis governments, conservation districts, agriculture, business and industry, cottage associations, and environmental non-governmental organizations.

  12. Alliance Working Groups

  13. Interest in the Accord and Alliance • Canada, Manitoba and South Basin Mayors and Reeves (municipal government) signed the Accord on March 21, 2014.

  14. Interest in the Accord and Alliance • Canada’s western Premiers specifically referenced the Manitoba-led Lake Friendly Accord.  • 68th Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Legislative Conference of the Council of State - legislators resolved to improve cross border water quality including implementing common goals for better and broader management of nutrients. • Provincial and State jurisdictions • Transboundary agencies

  15. Discovery of Zebra Mussels • October 11, 2013 • Zebra mussels were found at Gimli Harbour, Willow Point, Boundary Creek Marina/Winnipeg Beach Harbour, Balsam Bay Harbour. • This is an early stage of infestation, low density • Evidence suggests the zebra mussels are from this year • No zebra mussels were found at greater depths

  16. What are Zebra Mussels? • Fingernail-sized bivalve mollusks • D-shaped shells with light and dark brown stripes • Adults are usually 1-3 cm long (range 0.6-4.5 cm) • Microscopic larvae and juveniles • Byssal threads • Tuft of hair-like filaments at hinge • Used to attach to underwater surfaces • Grow in clusters, firmly attached to • submerged surfaces (like barnacles)

  17. Why are zebra mussels a concern? • Water quality impacts • Increase in toxic algal blooms • Reduced recreational potential • Shift in the food web • Economic impacts – property values, infrastructure, boaters, commercial fisheries • Maintaining infrastructure such as clogged intake structures

  18. Provincial Zebra Mussel Treatment • Based on advice of a Science Advisory Committee, a treatment program was completed at the four infested harbours • The harbours were curtained and liquid potash was applied at concentrations lethal to zebra mussels but not harmful to fin fish • Next steps include: enhanced communication; additional monitoring; more decontamination units; and stronger regulation to reduce the risk.

  19. Thank You

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