Conservation & Communities First
Growing Drive to Protect Boreal Forest Jeopardized by Industrial Development
All photos this section by Ron Thiessen.
East Side Planning Initiative
The present phase of the East Side Planning Initiative is entitled Wabanong Nakaygum Okimawin (WNO) or "East Side of the Lake Governance". According to Manitoba Conservation, "The objective of the east side planning process is to bring together local communities, First Nations, industry and environmental organizations to develop a vision for land and resource use in the area that respects both the value of the boreal forest and the needs of local communities." In order to fulfill this obligation, the Manitoba government must provide the resources required for conservation based community and traditional lands planning.
There is a growing drive by scientists, conservation organizations, and the public to protect the boreal forest on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. This is not surprising as every Manitoban relies on the boreal for either a home, a job, or essentials such as fresh water, climate regulation, medicine, wood, paper, and food. As well, Manitobans and tourists are endlessly inspired by the intrinsic value of the boreal forest’s mosaic of interconnected wildlands built on a foundation of pine, spruce, and birch trees in concert with pure rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Increased logging and mining, as well as a hydro transmission corridor, more dams, and a road network have been proposed for boreal forests on the east side of Lake Winnipeg. We have a grand conservation opportunity to ensure that community-led planning and a protected areas network are complete before industrial development proposals are considered in the planning process.
Logging
Clearcut logging removes and permanently alters huge sections of boreal forest and woodland caribou habitat. The paper mill in Pine Falls, for example, is fed by trees from areas on Manitoba’s east side totalling over 17,000 sq. km. — that’s almost three times the size of Prince Edward Island. One solution is increasing recycled content in paper products, rather than turning intact boreal wilderness into newsprint.
Mining
Mining claims and ongoing mineral exploration pierce the landscape on the east side of Manitoba’s Lake Winnipeg. Air and water pollution from mining operations could have devastating impacts on the east side’s delicate ecosystem. As significant portions of the east side have been identified as having low mineral potential, Manitoba can move forward with communities to make conservation and protected lands decisions here.
Hydro
The Manitoba government recently put communities and conservation first when Energy Minister Dave Chomiak stated that his government will not allow a hydro transmission corridor through the east side due to environmental and community concerns. Good news – as long as this promise is kept. Manitoba Hydro has proposed a corridor that would cut a 900 km swath through the heart of Manitoba’s east side boreal forests. Such a corridor would fragment multiple caribou ranges, and lead to increased access for illegal hunting, predation by wolves, and more contact with deer (carriers of a parasite called brainworm that is lethal to woodland caribou).
Roads
What do logging, mining, and hydro developments have in common? Roads. They impose the same threats to ecosystem balance and functions as hydro corridors, along with more wildlife deaths due to vehicle collisions. Hundreds of kilometres of all-weather roads have been proposed for Manitoba’s east side to provide east side communities with access to healthcare and reasonably priced groceries. These community access needs are heightened by climate change impacts on winter road systems.
Some all-weather roads could enrich communities especially for cultural and eco-tourism opportunities. However, roads could also diminish the environment, its capacity to sustain ecosystem functions, and community driven economies. Roads built for industrial development interests are likely to have the greatest effect on our boreal forest regions. The consent of communities on the east side of Lake Winnipeg must be obtained and environmental impact assessments completed before any roads are constructed.
