Applying Manitoba's Water Policies - Government of Manitoba

Applying the PoliciesConservationOverviewManitoba’s lakes, streams, wetlands, and shorelandspossess natural and human values and provideinnumerable opportunities for recreation and tourism,aesthetic enjoyment, and cultural and heritage appreciation.Some wetlands are important groundwaterrecharge areas while many provide natural storage forflood waters. All types and sizes of waterbodies providehabitat for a wide range of fish, wildlife, and otherlife-forms and provide for natural water purification.Waterbodies support commercial and sport fishing,hunting, trapping, and tourism, thus contributing millionsof dollars annually to our economy. These valuesand opportunities need to be sustained and enhanced.Water conservation policies to protect ecological,economic, and aesthetic values of our waterbodies recognizethat soil and water conservation are inseparablylinked. Soil erosion contributes sediment and associatedcontaminants into waterbodies which affects wateruses. Water erosion, on the other hand, destroys landvalues, disrupts transportation systems, and scars thelandscape. Soil erosion and deposition are dimensionsof the same process. A basin or watershed approach tothe management and conservation of water and relatedresources is essential for sustainable development.Some waterbodies merit special efforts due to theirunique characteristics. For example, Clearwater Lake,the Seal River, and Delta Marsh are known nationallyand even internationally for their environmental, economic,and aesthetic values.Public input into the development of the waterpolicies demonstrated that Manitobans from all walksof life are becoming more aware of the roles and interdependenciesof water and other natural resources inthe environment. Governments, industries, and thepublic will have to work together to ensure that humanuse and enjoyment of water, land, and all relatedresources do not jeopardize their present and futurevalues.19