The provincial government announced it is expanding the boundaries of five watershed districts in the province.
“Water is life, and our government is committed to protecting Manitoba’s lakes and rivers for generations to come,” said Environment and Climate Change Minister Tracy Schmidt on March 22. “Expanding watershed districts and making new resources available to help Manitobans make smart water decisions are part of this work.”
The five regions affected are the Central Assiniboine, Pembina Valley, Redboine, the Seine Rat Roseau and the Souris River watershed districts. The watersheds will be expanding into new municipal areas effective April 1, with the support of enhanced provincial core funding through the Watershed Districts Program.
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This is the second expansion within 12 months announced for the Pembina Valley and Redboine watershed districts. Last spring, the province announced the expansion of those two watersheds along with the expansion of the Northeast Red Watershed District.
The recent announcement coincided with World Water Day.
Schmidt also pointed to the work of the Manitoba Habitat Conservancy (MHC) in advancing nearly $12 million for projects to restore natural areas, preserve water quality and wildlife habitat, help sequester carbon and connect people to nature. The MHC has been tagged by the province as the administrator for GROW and Conservation Trust funding, both programs that divvy funds out to support projects with those objectives.
Watershed districts deliver GROW funds to individual projects, applied for in partnership with local farmers and landowners.
“On this World Water Day, we mark a significant stride towards preserving Manitoba’s habitats and the benefits these provide to people and wildlife,” said MHC CEO Stephen Carlyle. “With an investment of $11.9 million, Manitoba Habitat Conservancy is proudly supporting local not-for-profit conservation groups, including Manitoba’s Watershed Districts.”
