August 13, 2015
Province Announces Water Protection Projects Receive Increased Support
– – –Increasing Investment in Conservation Districts: Minister Nevakshonoff
The Manitoba government is increasing funding to local watershed-based organizations to strengthen surface water management and help restore the health of Lake Winnipeg, Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Tom Nevakshonoff announced today.
Conservation districts will see more than $5 million in provincial support this year including an increase of $150,000 to their core funding. In addition, a new Small Water Retention Infrastructure Program is being introduced in partnership with conservation districts.
“Manitobans love their lakes and beaches,” said Minister Nevakshonoff. “As a government, we need to do what we can to help protect and restore the health of these vital bodies of water.”
This funding will enhance the capacity of conservation districts’ to protect and enhance the long-term health of water quality, drinking water sources, wetlands and build resiliency to climate change in Manitoba’s watersheds, the minister said.
Conservation districts are experts in delivering many types of projects on-the-ground, water retention projects in particular. This year, districts will also have access to new funding under the Small Water Retention Infrastructure Program, a partnership between Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship, Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, and Manitoba Municipal Government. This program will provide up to $300,000 annually to conservation districts to construct and maintain water retention structures on behalf of the province.
“Today’s announcement shows the province recognizes the incredible value of the Manitoba Conservation Districts Program,” said Heather Dalgleish, chair, Manitoba Conservation Districts Association. “Management of our watersheds is a huge task and this is an encouraging development.”
Last year, conservation districts used core funding provided by the Manitoba government to leverage an additional $4 million from municipal, federal, non-government and industry sources for a total investment of over $9 million in local watershed projects.
More information on the Conservation Districts Program is available at www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/waterstewardship/agencies/cd/index.html.
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