Manitoba Water Council
Seeking Manitobans’
Perspectives on Wetlands
What we Heard
January 2011
Manitoba Water Council
Message from the Chair
As Chair of the Manitoba Water Council I am pleased to present this “What We Heard”
document outlining the results of our public consultation “Seeking Manitobans’
Perspectives on Wetlands.”
During the summer of 2010, the Council travelled to different parts of the province
to talk to Manitobans about wetlands. We heard many opinions and had some
very enlightening conversations. We wanted to hear from as many Manitobans as
possible and provided a variety of opportunities for participation, receiving written
submissions and questionnaires in addition to the public meetings.This summer was
an extraordinarily wet year, the fourth wettest year on record. Many areas of the
province experienced very unusual flood events, and were dealing with excess water
for much of the summer. We recognize that in some instances, this will have influenced
perceptions of wetlands.
What did we hear from Manitobans during this exercise? I was struck personally by the
number of different issues and concerns in the different regions of the province.
However, in general some significant themes were heard consistently across the
province. We heard very clearly that wetlands are valued and that Manitobans believe
that wetlands should be managed in a way that ensures that they are maintained for
the benefit of future generations. We heard that threats to Manitoba wetlands include
physical threats such as drainage and infilling to convert the land to other uses, but
that these threats stem from a number of underlying causes such as the impact of
global market forces on agriculture, and a lack of coordination in applying land and
water management strategies across Manitoba’s landscapes. We also heard a number
of suggestions on how to accomplish wetland conservation through programming,
education and an integrated wetland policy. We heard a sense of urgency: private
citizens, non-governmental organizations and private industry all agreed, though not
necessarily for the same reasons, that Manitoba needs a coordinated, well-planned
strategy for wetland management.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who was able to participate
in the consultation process. The Council realizes that summer is a busy time. We
received input from all areas of the province. We realize that we did not hear from
all Manitobans and that some perspectives may not have been represented. This
document presents the perspectives that we did hear and are not the opinions of the
Water Council. Every effort has been made to present all viewpoints expressed during
the public consultations.
Thank-you to everyone who participated in making these consultations a success.
Sincerely,
Jean Friesen, Chair
Manitoba Water Council
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What We Heard
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Manitoba Water Council
Executive Summary
As part of a broader review of the
Manitoba Water Strategy the Manitoba
Water Council, at the request of the
Minister of Water Stewardship, conducted
public consultations seeking Manitobans’
perspectives on wetlands during the
summer of 2010. In order to engage as
many Manitobans as possible, the Council
conducted 22 public meetings in eleven
locations across the province, provided
an opportunity for written comments,
and received over 400 completed
questionnaires.
We heard the perspectives of a wide
range of Manitobans, with the greatest
input being from rural southern
Manitoba. The urban, First Nations,
Metis and northern populations were
less represented. Because the spring and
summer of 2010 were extraordinarily
wet, a sense of frustration was conveyed
by those people who were dealing with
flooded land. This document is a synopsis
of the wide variety of opinions and
unique perspectives that were heard from
participants from each region of Manitoba
and does not represent the opinion of the
Water Council.
The following themes were identified and
have been expanded on in the rest of
the document:
• Wetlands are valued.
• Wetlands are threatened.
• Wetlands need to be sustainable.
»» Conservation should take priority
over restoration.
»» Barriers to conservation should be
removed.
»» Incentive programs are needed.
»» Education is needed.
»» Regulations have a role.
• Land use planning is needed:
»» on Crown land
»» on private land
»» with regard to drainage.
• Who is Responsible?
»» Governments have a role.
»» Landowners have a role.
»» Conservation organizations have a role.
»» Society has a role.
• Wetland Policy is needed.
Manitobans’ viewpoints regarding the
above themes were of course divergent
and we have tried to present the majority
as well as the minority viewpoints. We
heard that wetlands are valued by many
Manitobans and need to be maintained
for future generations. We heard
contradictory perspectives on some
issues, however it became apparent that
the conservation of wetlands is important
to many Manitobans, although not
necessarily for the same reasons. It was also
clear that all Manitobans have a role to play
in maintaining Manitoba’s wetlands.
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What We Heard
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Manitoba Water Council
Table of Contents
Message From the Chair
3
Executive Summary4
The Consultation Process6
Participant Profile6
What We Heard:
1. Wetlands are valued.7
2. Wetlands are threatened.
8
3. Wetlands need to be sustainable.
a. Conservation should take priority over restoration.
b. Barriers to conservation should be removed.
c. Incentive programs are needed.
d. Education is needed.
e. Regulations have a role.
9
9
4. Land use planning is needed:
a. On Crown land
b. On private land
c. With regard to drainage
11
11
12
12
9
10
10
11
5. Who is responsible?13
a. Governments have a role.
13
b. Landowners have a role.
13
c. Conservation organizations have a role.
14
d. Society has a role.
14
6. A wetland policy is needed.
14
A Balanced Approach
15
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What We Heard
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Manitoba Water Council
The Consultation Process
The Water Council began preparations
for a public consultation on wetlands
in the fall of 2009 with the selection of
a Wetland Subcommittee. The Council
decided that in addition to public meetings,
a workbook and questionnaire should be
developed and that written submissions
would be accepted. This would allow
Manitobans unable to attend a public
meeting to share their perspectives.
The subcommittee worked with a private
consulting company to develop the
workbook, questionnaire as well as story
boards to support the public meetings.
The Council determined that these
materials would be valuable tools to
promote discussion as well as providing
information about wetlands.
The subcommittee received stakeholder
feedback on this background material as
well as the timing of the consultations.
Public meetings were scheduled for March
and early April; however, spring flooding
caused the meetings to be delayed until
July and August. Extraordinarily wet
weather conditions continued throughout
the summer and caused additional delays
as well as, in some instances, influencing
perceptions of wetlands.
The public consultation process began in
July with province-wide advertisements in
local newspapers encouraging Manitobans
to participate. Workbooks, questionnaires
and invitations to participate in the public
meetings were mailed to nearly 300
organizations, and nearly 2000 questionnaires
and workbooks were distributed across
the province and were also available on
the Water Council website. To view the
workbook and questionnaire go to
www.manitobawatercouncil.ca
Twenty-two public meetings were held
in eleven locations across Manitoba
(see Appendix I). Every effort was made
to select locations that allowed for
regional representation and provided the
opportunity for as many Manitobans as
possible to participate. Water Council
members and secretariat support
attended these meetings, taking notes
and talking with individuals, as well
as hearing formal presentations. Upon
conclusion of the public meetings a private
consultant was hired to compile this What
We Heard document from the notes taken
at the public meetings, the questionnaires
and the written submissions.
Participant Profile
Over 500 Manitobans provided their
perspectives on wetlands during this
process. The Council received 459
questionnaires and 27 written submissions,
heard 57 formal presentations at public
meetings, and met over 200 attendees at
the public meetings.
The questionnaire asked people to
identify themselves as a resident of a
city, town or village, municipal district,
northern community or other.
The following chart shows the
distribution of responses from
the questionnaires:
Seeking Manitobans’ Perspectives on Wetlands
Northern
Community: 10 Other: 16
Municipal
District: 160
City: 168
Town or
Village: 90
What We Heard
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Manitoba Water Council
One hundred and ninety of the participants
who completed the questionnaire indicated
that they currently own or lease property
with wetlands.
Written submissions were received from
private citizens, landowners, industry,
producers, local governments, nongovernment organizations.
Participants at the public meetings were
asked to identify their affiliation(s). The
following were identified: local government
representatives, conservation organizations,
producer organizations, individual producers,
trappers, private citizens and landowners.
The following chart shows the
representation of the participants at the
public meetings:
Other: 26
General
Public: 65
Local Government: 14
Non Government
Organizations: 54
Producers: 57
What We Heard
1. Wetlands Are Valued
Participants were passionate about
wetlands and the importance of
protecting these ecosystems. Most
participants recognized the value of
wetlands, primarily due to personal
experiences and local knowledge
which was often echoed by references
to scientific research.
We Heard:
• Human health is positively influenced
by the presence of wetlands, both
physically and mentally.
• Wetlands are culturally significant to
Manitoba’s First Nations, enabling the
continuation of a traditional way of life.
• Wetland areas are a source of medicinal
plants and provide habitat for fish,
waterfowl and furbearing animals.
• Many landowners recognize the value of
wetlands to the long term sustainability
of farming operations.
• Many landowners see the value of
the natural landscape and work hard to
maintain natural features such as wetlands.
• Participants valued the unique
characteristics that wetlands bring to
the landscape.
• Prairie potholes were seen as an integral
part of a healthy watershed.
• Boreal wetlands are the largest
terrestrial storehouse of carbon and an
integral component of the boreal
region’s capacity as the northern lungs
of the planet.
• Manitoba’s boreal and prairie wetlands
provide habitat for many plants and
animals, including 37 species of
native orchids.
• Wetlands provide many important
services including water purification,
maintenance of biodiversity, regulation
of water flows, and storage of carbon.
Without wetlands society would have to
find an alternative way to provide
these services.
• Manitoba’s coastal wetlands provide
native hay for cattle grazing, particularly
during times of drought, and are
of economic importance to local and
provincial economies.
• Ephemeral and temporary (seasonal)
wetlands (Classes 1 & 2 in the Stewart
and Kantrud Wetland Classification
System) are extremely productive
ecosystems, and provide valuable
services that are not provided by larger,
more permanent wetlands.
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Manitoba Water Council
»» Additional market forces that ensure
that food remains inexpensive
impact commodity prices which
directly impacts farmers.
• Additional external pressures identified
by participants include land use policies
and lack of integration of land and water
management. Some common themes
included:
»» Boreal wetlands in Manitoba are
2. Wetlands Are Threatened
threatened by mining and forestry
Participants agreed that wetlands in
activities and a lack of a comprehensive Manitoba are threatened. Reference
boreal forest strategy.
was often made to the dramatic rate
»» The view that all land can be made
of wetland loss during the last century
suitable for agriculture, residential or
due to drainage and infilling. External
commercial
development is
pressures on landowners, municipalities,
short-sighted.
and developers have historically
»» Participants acknowledged that
encouraged the conversion of wetlands
exceptionally wet conditions
to other land uses. Many of these
experienced in 2010 frustrated their
pressures are still in effect today.
attempts to farm. It was an
additional frustration to discern
We Heard:
between flooded lands and wetlands
• Wetlands in Manitoba are threatened
that are full.
by market pressures which encourage
»» Cottage and residential subdivision
landowners to drain or crop wetlands.
developments often encroach on
»» Market forces often pressure wetlands which are frequently
agricultural producers to maximize drained for new construction.
production on their lands through »» Artificial control of water levels
increasing the acreage under cultivation. negatively impact water quality,
This increase in arable land is often wildlife and wetland stability. This is
achieved by draining wetlands.
of concern to local lifestyle,
»» The use of larger agricultural communities and economies,
machinery increases the difficulty in particularly those reliant on hunting
maneuvering around natural features and trapping.
such as wetlands. This results in
»» Forestry practices in southern
overlap during the application
Manitoba have resulted in the loss of
of seed, fertilizer, and pesticides,
numerous small woodlots and
increasing costs to producers
associated wetlands.
as well as degrading water quality.
»» Peat mining operations require
»» Producers pay taxes for their land, extensive drainage and removal of
which includes any wetland areas.
organic material, significantly altering
As a result, some producers feel it is
the landscape and changing the
necessary to convert wetlands to
water regime, negatively impacting
croplands in order to offset these
nearby landowners.
taxes, although many acknowledge
»» Mining activities have a negative
that these areas are less productive
impact on boreal wetlands.
than surrounding upland areas.
• Wetlands are integral components of
the water cycle, and ensure continued
access to clean water.
• Wetlands provide Manitobans with
recreational opportunities and a chance
to connect with nature.
• Wetlands provide some Manitobans
with additional economic opportunities.
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Manitoba Water Council
»» The recent popularity of recreational
activities such as “mudbogging”
with ATVs and other vehicles are
extremely destructive to both prairie
and boreal wetlands. This activity
has also increased trespassing on
private land.
»» Wetlands are threatened by the
perception that they are valuable
only if converted to other uses.
• Additional action is needed to stop the
loss of wetlands in southern Manitoba.
a. Conservation should take
priority over restoration
According to participants, higher priority
should be given to conserving and
maintaining existing wetlands than to
restoring degraded wetlands or creating
new wetlands.
3. Wetlands Need to be Sustainable We Heard:
A strong message that we heard was
that Manitobans must act now to
ensure that wetlands are maintained
and protected for the benefit of future
generations. Participants recognized
that wetland conservation was a
complex issue and provided a number
of suggestions for conservation
programming.
We Heard:
• Existing wetland conservation programs
and any new programs must be adequately
funded in order to be effective.
• Programs need to be long term and
provide permanent protection of wetlands.
• Participants recognized that pilot
programs and short term projects will
not meet the goals of sustainability.
• Wetlands provide many benefits to all of
society and we need to ensure that
these benefits are available for our
children and for their children.
• There are social, economic and
environmental costs and benefits
associated with wetlands and the
management of these ecosystems
needs to take all of these into account.
• Everyone has a role to play in making
wetlands sustainable.
• Cumulative effects of wetland removal
need to be evaluated.
• Wetland restoration costs are much
larger than costs associated with
protecting existing wetlands.
• Engineered or constructed wetlands do
not offer the same ecosystem services as
intact or restored natural wetlands.
• Prairie wetlands are more effectively
restored than boreal wetlands which
are extremely difficult to restore
once degraded.
• Ephemeral and temporary wetlands
(Wetland Classes 1 & 2 in the Stewart
and Kantrud Wetland Classification System)
»» Some participants noted that
ephemeral and temporary wetlands
are extremely valuable and provide
unique benefits not provided by larger wetlands.
»» Other participants did not consider
ephemeral and temporary wetlands
to be wetlands and insisted that they
not be included in a wetland policy.
They also stated the importance of
being able to drain and cultivate
these areas.
b. Barriers to conservation
should be removed
Participants identified a number of
barriers or disincentives imbedded in
existing policies and programs, which
often discourage landowners, private
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What We Heard
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Manitoba Water Council
industry, and municipalities from maintaining
wetlands. Removing these disincentives
was considered a high priority.
We Heard:
• Urban centres and municipalities
receive revenues from the re-zoning and
development of wetlands for residential
and commercial purposes.
• Agricultural producers pay property
taxes on wetlands which are a direct
cost to the producer.
• Producers are permitted to claim the
expenses of “land improvements” (i.e.,
clearing trees, and filling depressions
and wetlands) as tax deductions.
• The trend towards agricultural practices
that promote efficiency; i.e., requiring
larger machinery and larger tracts of
land under cultivation, often result in
farming practices that encourage the
drainage of wetlands.
• Crop insurance programs compensate
farmers when excess moisture prevents
efficient cropping; compensation is
based on acreage under cultivation,
thereby promoting wetland drainage.
c. Incentive programs are needed
Incentive-based programs made available
to landowners, municipalities, developers, and private industry were identified by
many participants as a necessary means to
achieve wetland conservation. There was
strong support for this approach to
wetland conservation.
We Heard:
• Incentives including tax credits and
payments for the provision of ecological
goods and services were looked upon
favourably by participants.
»» There is very strong support in the
agricultural and conservation
communities for an ecological goods
and services program.
»» Suggestions were made to expand
or modify existing programs such as
the wetland restoration incentive
program, the riparian tax credit, the
alternative land use systems
(ALUS) pilot project, and
Conservation Agreements.
»» New incentives such as the removal
of property taxes, credit revisions,
and changes to land classification
were suggested.
»» Disappointment was expressed at
the lack of progress in developing an
ecological goods and services policy
for Manitoba.
• Industry incentives are needed for
best management practices in the
boreal forests and associated
wetlands which are on Crown Land.
• Industry incentives on Crown land will
be significantly different from producer
incentives on privately owned land.
d. Education is needed
Participants believe that education has an
important role for protecting wetlands.
We Heard:
• Educating the public about the value of
wetlands is necessary in order to ensure
that wetlands are not viewed negatively,
or seen as “wastelands” that need to be
converted to other uses to be considered
productive land.
• The public needs to be aware of the
fragility of wetlands in order to ensure
that recreational activities do not
negatively impact them.
• Wetlands should be included in the
public school curriculum.
• Wetland education programs should be
developed for local decision makers and
land use planners.
• Information about new programs and
policies should be provided to
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What We Heard
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landowners and private industry to
ensure that they are well understood.
• Traditional knowledge should be
incorporated into education and
awareness campaigns.
e. Regulations have a role
Participants were divided on the
effectiveness of regulations, however,
the majority expressed the need for a
regulatory framework.
• Participants saw regulations as stronger
and more consistent than policy and
programming has been in the past.
• There was concern that the
development of new regulations would
interfere with producers’ ability to
manage their operations.
4. Land Use Planning is Needed
Many participants expressed
frustration over a lack of coherent and
comprehensive land use planning that
takes into account both land and water
management practices and ensures long
term sustainability. Decisions about land
use are made by a number of individuals
and organizations representing both
private and public interests.
We Heard:
• A number of participants believed
regulations were needed in order to
ensure that remaining wetlands were
adequately protected, while others felt
that regulation would be ineffective in
protecting wetlands.
• Regulations are needed to protect
wetlands and to ensure that
neighbouring and downstream
properties are not negatively impacted
by drainage.
• Regulations to protect wetlands are
needed because there are individuals
who will not respond to any other
incentives or programs.
• Regulations must be fair and
consistently enforced.
• Some participants believed that new
regulations were not needed, and
that the government needs to enforce
the existing regulations and focus on
education and incentives.
• Others believed that stronger
regulations need to be developed
due to the severity of current threats
to wetlands.
• Regulations should not be implemented
if they will not be enforced.
• Participants wanted a regulatory
framework that was consistent over time and created a level playing field.
We Heard:
• Land use planning should include water
resources (including wetlands) as part of
an integrated planning process.
• A complete inventory of Manitoba’s
wetland resources should be undertaken.
• The view that all land can be made
suitable for agriculture or residential or
commercial development is short sighted.
• The naturally occurring annual and
seasonal wet/dry cycles of wetlands
are frequently not considered in land
use planning. Often during dry periods,
wetland areas are not recognized and
improperly classified and during wet
periods wetlands are often considered
flooded areas.
• Isolated decision making leads to an
ad hoc system with negative
cumulative effects.
a. On Crown land
Many wetlands are located on Crown
lands, both in the agricultural south and
in the boreal forest north. It was noted
that the approach to the management of
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wetlands on Crown lands is significantly
different than the management of
wetlands on privately owned land. Many
participants believed that government
should play a more effective role in the
management and enforcement of activities
that impact wetlands on Crown lands.
We Heard:
• Threats to wetlands in boreal forest
Crown lands are significantly different
than those threats faced by “prairie
pothole” wetlands on privately owned
land in southern Manitoba.
• Crown lands with wetlands should not
be sold for agricultural purposes if they
will require draining in order to be made
agriculturally productive.
• Many Crown lands have agricultural
leases that have restrictions on land use
practices. Participants noted that these
restrictions are frequently violated and
need to be better enforced.
• Surface water management on Crown
lands can become an issue for adjacent
landowners, particularly if landowners
want to drain into or through Crown lands.
• It was suggested that conservation
districts as watershed authorities
should assist in developing surface
water management plans that include
both Crown lands and privately owned land.
b. On private land
Many of the wetlands in southern Manitoba
are found on privately owned land.
The decisions of individual landowners
determine the fate of these wetlands.
We Heard:
• Education and incentives are preferred
over regulation as a means to achieve
wetland sustainability.
• Land use decisions are complex and
wetland issues are only one of many
factors considered in the decision
making process.
• The Environmental Farm Plan program
was an effective tool for producers to
look at the environmental issues on their
entire operation.
c. With regard to drainage
Participants cited agricultural drainage
as one of the primary issues that needed
to be addressed with regard to wetland
management.
We Heard:
• In the past, government promoted the
drainage of wetlands to increase the
area of agriculture under cultivation.
• Concerns were raised regarding
historical drainage works that had been
poorly engineered and/or not
adequately maintained.
• Concerns were raised regarding the
negative impacts of drainage being
done in certain municipalities by
municipal boards.
• Some projects constructed by
conservation organizations have not
been properly maintained or have been
improperly dismantled.
• Illegal drainage in southern Manitoba
was a primary concern expressed at
all meetings in southern Manitoba. This
drainage has resulted in wetland loss, as
well as flooding issues downstream and
on neighbouring properties.
• Some participants acknowledged
that the situation with illegal drainage
had improved with the revision of the
province’s drainage policies and the
hiring of additional Water Resource
Officers, but more needed to be done.
• Frustration with the bureaucracy
involved in obtaining a drainage license
was expressed.
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• Participants were concerned that there
appears to be no overall drainage plan for
the province, and the current “piecemeal
approach” has resulted in wetland losses,
downstream flooding, and changes to
watershed functioning.
• There were regional concerns regarding
regional differences and historical
priorities that have allowed for the
historical drainage of certain areas such as
the Red River Valley, while current
policies put restrictions on drainage in
areas that were not historically drained.
• Drainage projects, such as agricultural
drainage, transportation infrastructure,
and the channelization of natural drains,
are often done in isolation and individually
do not appear to have a significant
impact. However, the cumulative effects of
these projects create significant problems,
including flooding, nutrient loading and
sedimentation.
• Highway drains which are designed to
maintain roadways are being improperly
used for agricultural drainage.
• One respondent highlighted the need
to acknowledge the impact of drainage
and highway ditches and proposed that
a change in their design may allow them
to provide services similar to natural wetlands.
5. Who Is Responsible?
Frustration was expressed with the lack
of coordination of water management
between government departments,
orders of government, conservation
districts and environmental nongovernmental organizations.
Participants recognized that Manitoba
Water Stewardship should have the
primary responsibility for management
of Manitoba’s waters, including
wetlands. It was widely recognized
that the policies and programs of
other departments impact wetlands.
Participants also noted a difference in
responsibility for the management of
wetlands located on Crown lands and
those located on private lands.
a. Governments have a role
Participants wanted better communication
between orders of government,
government departments and landowners.
We Heard:
• According to many participants, a lack of
consistency in implementing wetland
related programs and policies causes
confusion, and according to one
participant, makes for an incoherent,
dysfunctional system.
• Manitoba Water Stewardship, Manitoba
Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives,
Manitoba Conservation, and Manitoba
Infrastructure and Transportation amongst
others all have different roles, policies,
programs, and priorities regarding wetlands.
These sometimes conflicting policies
contribute to confusion for the public,
governments and other organizations.
• Confusion over the roles and
responsibilities of individuals and
governments with regard to wetlands has
led to frustration and eroded trust in the
provincial and municipal governments.
• Strong leadership is needed to
reduce these frustrations and develop
comprehensive and coordinated land and
water management programming.
• Government should take a stronger role
in ensuring the conservation of wetlands
on Crown lands.
b. Landowners have a role
Participants expressed the view that
landowners play a vital role in the long
term management of wetlands.
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Manitoba Water Council
We Heard:
• In southern Manitoba the majority of
wetlands are found on privately owned
land. The management decisions of
these landowners determine the fate of
these wetlands. It should be noted that
not all landowners are producers. Most
landowners represented one of three
perspectives presented:
»» Some landowners recognized
the value of wetlands to the long
term sustainability of their farming
operations. They believed for various
reasons that it is important to
maintain wetlands and accept them
as part of farming on that landscape.
»» Some landowners recognized the
value of maintaining wetlands,
but felt the costs outweigh the
benefits that wetlands provide. They
would like to retain wetlands if it
were more economically viable.
»» Some landowners felt that wetlands
interfere with the productivity of their
operation and believe that they
should be allowed to drain wetlands
to maximize productivity.
• Some participants expressed the view
that they are farmers first and want
to raise crops, not ducks and geese.
c. Conservation organizations
have a role
Conservation organizations including
conservation districts, natural resource
management boards, non-governmental
organizations and others work on the
landscape to conserve wetlands and make
decisions that affect land use and water
management locally.
• There were concerns regarding the lack
of consistency in the operational structure
of conservation districts.
• Conservation agreements were seen by
some participants as extremely effective
for the long term preservation of wetlands.
• Other participants were opposed to
perpetual conservation agreements.
• Some participants were concerned
that conservation projects may impact
neighbouring properties.
d. Society has a role
Participants expressed the view that the
responsibility for wetlands was everyone’s
responsibility.
We Heard:
• Wetlands on privately owned land
may be both a direct and indirect cost to
landowners; however, the benefits of
these wetlands are experienced by all
of society.
• Because the benefits of wetlands are
experienced by all of society, the financial
responsibility for wetland conservation
should fall on society as a whole.
• Some participants expressed the view that
society should compensate landowners
for the benefits provided by the wetlands
on their property.
• Some participants expressed that it was
their contribution to society to maintain
wetlands on their property and be good
stewards of the land.
• Some participants expressed that they did
not feel that they had the right to remove
a natural asset for their own benefit.
6. A Wetland Policy is Needed
We Heard:
• Many participants were supportive of
conservation district (CD) programs in
managing land and water at a local level.
Seeking Manitobans’ Perspectives on Wetlands
There was a clear expectation that a
wetland policy will be developed with
the provincial government providing
strong leadership.
What We Heard
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Manitoba Water Council
We Heard:
• A wetland policy should be a government wide strategy and not department specific.
• A wetland policy should be innovative,
and integrate with existing policies that
impact land and water management.
• Some participants believed that a wetland
policy was already in place.
• Some participants complained of ad
hoc government decisions being made
regarding wetland management because
of the lack of a wetland policy.
• A policy should include a mixed or
integrative approach, incorporating
incentives, education, and regulations.
• In order to create a successful wetland
policy, the government must also commit
to financial, technical, and regulatory support.
• A wetland policy will account for regional
differences, different wetland types and
classes as well as address the various threats
faced by wetlands in different ecoregions.
• A wetland policy will establish a consistent
approach to problem solving of surface
water challenges.
• Some participants provided specific
recommendations for the development of
wetland policy, including:
»» an action plan,
»» a clear definition of wetlands,
»» a clear explanation of how the policy is to be applied to different wetland classes and types,
»» a recognition of the uniqueness of
local watersheds and a mechanism
to develop site-specific goals where
necessary,
»» a variety of tools that encourage
landowners to preserve wetlands,
»» flexibility which allows landowners to
manage their wetlands, avoiding an
“all or nothing” approach,
»» a mitigation process which addresses
unavoidable wetland losses due to development projects,
»» enabling legislation that will set clear
lines of responsibility
A Balanced Approach
We heard very clearly that wetlands are
valued by many Manitobans and need to
be maintained for future generations. We
also heard that there are many pressures
to remove wetlands. On some issues we
heard perspectives that contradicted one
another. It became apparent that the
conservation of wetlands is very important
to many Manitobans.
Manitobans feel that it is the responsibility
of the provincial government, and
particularly Manitoba Water Stewardship,
to play a strong leadership role in building
a comprehensive framework that will
ensure the sustainability of Manitoba’s
wetlands. Water Stewardship must also
work in cooperation with other provincial
government departments, other levels
of government, conservation districts
and non-governmental organizations,
producer organizations, individual
landowners and private industry to ensure
a cohesive, fair and effective framework
for wetland conservation is developed and
implemented.
We heard that there is not one single
solution that will ensure the sustainability of
wetlands but that a multi-pronged approach
will be needed. There are many economic
pressures that encourage draining wetlands
and converting them to more “economically
profitable” uses. Incentives are needed
to compensate landowners for the costs
associated with keeping wetlands on their
property, at the same time disincentives that
Seeking Manitobans’ Perspectives on Wetlands
What We Heard
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Manitoba Water Council
discourage the preservation of wetlands
must also be addressed. Manitobans
also told us that the development and
enforcement of appropriate regulation is
needed to ensure that everyone is playing
by the same rules.
Appendix I:
Public Meetings
We all must recognize the role that we play
in maintaining our wetlands. We heard
that education is needed. If wetlands are
to be conserved, their importance and
value must be understood and recognized
by all Manitobans. Producers need to
appropriately manage not only wetlands
but also surrounding uplands. The public
needs to recognize the value of wetlands
and understand how they benefit from
the maintenance of these resources and
land use planners need to understand the
cumulative impacts of their decisions.
The Pas
June 9 (afternoon and evening)
The resounding message we heard was that
if significant action is not taken wetlands will
continue to be lost. Many Manitobans feel
that a comprehensive, government-wide
framework is needed to address the many
issues facing wetlands. This framework
should provide a blueprint for consistent
decision making, and provide protection to
wetlands that are currently threatened and
also provide the vision and strategy needed
to protect wetlands from current and future
threat.
The following is a list of public meetings
held throughout Manitoba in 2010.
Dauphin
June 10 (afternoon and evening)
Thompson
June 17 (afternoon and evening)
Winnipeg
June 14 (afternoon and evening)
Arborg
July 5 (afternoon and evening)
Steinbach
July 6 (afternoon and evening)
Winkler
July 8 (afternoon and evening)
Shoal Lake
July 12 (afternoon and evening)
Melita
July 13 (afternoon and evening)
Brandon
July 14 (afternoon and evening)
Lac du Bonnet
August 7 (afternoon and evening)
Seeking Manitobans’ Perspectives on Wetlands
What We Heard
16
Manitoba Water Council
c/o Manitoba Water Stewardship
Box 11 - 200 Saulteaux Crescent
Winnipeg MB R3J 3W3
www.manitobawatercouncil.ca