March 17, 2011
Province Issues Removal Order on Unauthorized Structures at Victoria Beach
Manitoba Conservation advises it is issuing an order today to remove unauthorized erosion control structures built on Crown land at Victoria Beach. The order only applies to work on Crown land, not to work on private land.
The structures have been built mainly on a public road that runs along the shoreline between Lake Winnipeg and private land owned by cottagers. This road allowance known as Sunset Boulevard, much of which has been washed away by the lake, is on Crown land and is also subject to municipal control and management as a municipal road.
Since the issuance of the stop-work order on March 4, Manitoba Water Stewardship has been seeking formal indication from the Rural Municipality of Victoria Beach on its position on the structures, since the ongoing use of the road allowance as a public walking path is under municipal control and management. In the absence of any indication from the rural municipality, and with warmer weather in the forecast limiting the time available for remedial action, the province is ordering removal of the structures.
Manitoba Conservation is also investigating reports of unauthorized construction currently taking place at another site on Victoria Beach and may issue a stop-work order if this work is determined to be on Sunset Boulevard without municipal approval.
Manitoba Water Stewardship advises the province will be working with Victoria Beach and other local governments on a long-term framework to manage and permit erosion control structures across Lake Winnipeg. The province will also work with the municipality and affected landowners on the placement of temporary erosion protection works pending development of a long-term plan by the community.
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