Applying Manitoba's Water Policies - Government of Manitoba

Applying the PoliciesUse & AllocationApplication1. The Government of Manitoba will:• use international agreements between Canada andthe United States, agreements between Manitobaand neighbouring states and provinces, negotiations,and court action if necessary, to prevent theintroduction of foreign organisms into the HudsonBay drainage basin.• undertake educational and promotional initiatives toenhance public awareness of the economic and environmentaldangers presented by the introduction offoreign organisms into Manitoba waters.• take all necessary measures and precautions to minimizethe risk of foreign organisms being introducedto the Hudson Bay drainage basin.• support demand management options and undertakeconservation measures to reduce the needs for interbasintransfers.• participate in the basin, watershed, and aquiferplanning processes, and in the environmental impactassessment process.• promote and undertake measures to prevent thetransfer of foreign organisms into Manitoba’swaters.• thoroughly examine, in considering proposals forinter-basin transfers within Manitoba, developmentobjectives, priority needs for water, alternative uses,alternative sources of supply, and the economical,social, and environmental impacts affecting both thedonor and receiving basins.• apply comprehensive environmental impact assessments,required by provincial and federal legislation,to determine the acceptability of basin transfer,and to determine any necessary modifications ofpreferred options.• encourage the adoption of alternatives and conservationmeasures by local governments, industry, andthe public to minimize the need for inter-basin watertransfer.2. Local governments, the hydro-electric utilities,industry, and the general public can:• become well informed of the dangers and risks presentedby the introduction of foreign organisms intothe Hudson Bay drainage basin.39