Prairie Lakes Secures $120K to Combat Zebra Mussels Urgently

UPDATE: The Rural Municipality of Prairie Lakes has just received $120,278 from the provincial government to intensify its fight against invasive aquatic species, including zebra mussels. This funding is crucial as the municipality strives to protect Pelican Lake and its surrounding environment.

The announcement was made by Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes earlier today, confirming the allocation under the newly established AIS Prevention Fund, which totals nearly $400,000. “Working with communities is essential to protect the waters we cherish,” Moyes stated in a press release.

This grant will finance the inspection station recently installed at the north end of Pelican Lake. Darren Seymour, Reeve of Prairie Lakes, emphasized the importance of these funds for the community, saying, “We hired staff and put up infrastructure. Now that we’ve received the funding, we will collaborate with our community to determine the strategy going forward.”

However, while Seymour is pleased with the funding, he highlights a pressing need for more decontamination stations in southern Manitoba. Currently, the nearest station to Ninette is located in Minnedosa, a challenging 123 kilometers away. Other stations are similarly distant, with Dauphin at 166 km and Headingley temporarily closed due to construction.

“There’s an issue with accessibility. We saw the mobile inspection unit last year only a couple of times and have yet to see it this season,” Seymour added, expressing concerns over the adequacy of current resources to combat invasive species effectively.

To bolster preventative measures, the Rural Municipality of Prairie Lakes previously introduced a user-pay system for local boat owners, requiring a $100 decal and an inspection fee of $40 for visitors. These fees have sparked controversy, with critics labeling them as a money grab, a claim Seymour vehemently denies. “We do not anticipate making money on this. We want to avoid placing the financial burden on taxpayers who do not utilize the lake,” he explained.

As the municipality moves forward with the new funding, plans include deploying inspectors at additional lake locations to streamline access for boaters while maintaining strict adherence to government regulations. “If everyone follows the rules, we wouldn’t need these measures. Unfortunately, some boats have been turned away, preventing potential AIS threats to Pelican Lake,” Seymour noted.

The province also confirmed that a mobile inspection unit is currently operational at Lake of the Prairies, though no plans have been announced yet to expand coverage in southwestern Manitoba.

Other organizations benefiting from the AIS Prevention Fund include Norway House Cree Nation ($108,228), Gull Lake Basin Management Board Inc. ($95,000), and Swan Valley Sport Fishing Enhancement ($2,650). Applications for additional grants will open this fall.

As the situation develops, residents and concerned citizens are encouraged to stay informed and support local initiatives aimed at preserving the health of Pelican Lake and its vital ecosystem.