1. Lake Friendly Accord

2. Manitoba Water Stewardship Manitoba Water Stewardship - Lake Winnipeg Water Quality Challenges Action Underway Lake Friendly Accord and the Lake Friendly Stewards Alliance Update on zebra mussels Presentation Overview

3. Manitoba Water Stewardship Manitoba Water Stewardship - Lake Winnipeg Algal Blooms - Not Just a Lake Winnipeg Issue Pigeon Lake CTV News Edmonton Nakamun Lake University of Alberta Stump Lake, North Dakota Minnesota

4. Manitoba Water Stewardship Manitoba Water Stewardship - Lake Winnipeg Why are algal blooms an issue? Reduced recreational appeal Economic and social impacts Degraded aquatic habitat - low dissolved oxygen Clog fishing nets Drinking water problems - taste and odour Toxic algae

5. Manitoba Water Stewardship Manitoba Water Stewardship - Lake Winnipeg Action is Underway to Reduce Nutrients Manitoba – Lake Winnipeg Action Plan, Lake Friendly in 50 Ways Canadian Federal Government – Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative Minnesota – Nutrient Reduction Strategy released North Dakota – Developing a Nutrient Reduction Strategy Local watershed boards, municipalities, CDs Transboundary efforts

6. Manitoba Water Stewardship Manitoba Water Stewardship - Lake Winnipeg What else is Manitoba doing to reduce nutrients? Action across sectors and the watershed Standards and legislation Investments Managing water on the land Supporting science Incentives and education Leadership, coordination and cooperation

7. Manitoba Water Stewardship Manitoba Water Stewardship - Lake Winnipeg Lake Winnipeg - Total Phosphorus South Basin - Average open water season Baseline 1800 - 1900 Phosphorus Objective – South Basin

8. Manitoba Water Stewardship Manitoba Water Stewardship - Lake Winnipeg The Accord is a commitment to the shared goal of improving water quality by reducing nutrients in waterways through the engagement of all. Intended to inspire action, coordinate our efforts, and promote leadership to ensure the protection of water quality for all, in all waterways. The Accord will provide a framework for all stakeholders to identify actions that they can take to reduce nutrient loading and to improve water quality. No duplication of effort. Shared Solution? Lake Friendly Accord

9. Manitoba Water Stewardship Manitoba Water Stewardship - Lake Winnipeg Lake Friendly Accord Broad, general document Sets out goal and eight objectives Pledge to meet goal and objectives No reference to Lake Winnipeg in main text of Accord – applicable to all waterways Recognizes existing work underway

10. Manitoba Water Stewardship Manitoba Water Stewardship - Lake Winnipeg Commit to develop specific actions with timelines Commitments will form an Annex to the Accord Signatories will agree to report on progress at least on an annual basis Target audience includes general public, stakeholders, governments, etc.

11. Manitoba Water Stewardship Manitoba Water Stewardship - Lake Winnipeg Intended to support the Lake Friendly Accord The Alliance provides one of the key forums needed to: –facilitate information sharing; –enhance collaboration and coordination; –improve reporting and accountability; –increase efficiencies and technology transfer; and –enhance stewardship and economic opportunities. Broad representation from federal, provincial, municipal, First Nations and Métis governments, conservation districts, agriculture, business and industry, cottage associations, and environmental non-governmental organizations. Lake Friendly Stewards Alliance

12. Manitoba Water Stewardship Manitoba Water Stewardship - Lake Winnipeg Alliance Working Groups Rural Landscapes Community Landscapes Outreach, Communications and Education Science, Research and Traditional Knowledge Innovation, Economic Development and Technology Application Governance

13. Manitoba Water Stewardship Manitoba Water Stewardship - Lake Winnipeg Canada, Manitoba and South Basin Mayors and Reeves (municipal government) signed the Accord on March 21, 2014. Interest in the Accord and Alliance

14. Manitoba Water Stewardship Manitoba Water Stewardship - Lake Winnipeg Canada’s western Premiers specifically referenced the Manitoba-led Lake Friendly Accord. 68th Annual Meeting of the Midwestern Legislative Conference of the Council of State - legislators resolved to improve cross border water quality including implementing common goals for better and broader management of nutrients. Provincial and State jurisdictions Transboundary agencies Interest in the Accord and Alliance

15. Manitoba Water Stewardship Manitoba Water Stewardship - Lake Winnipeg October 11, 2013 Zebra mussels were found at Gimli Harbour, Willow Point, Boundary Creek Marina/Winnipeg Beach Harbour, Balsam Bay Harbour. This is an early stage of infestation, low density Evidence suggests the zebra mussels are from this year No zebra mussels were found at greater depths Discovery of Zebra Mussels

16. Manitoba Water Stewardship Manitoba Water Stewardship - Lake Winnipeg What are Zebra Mussels? Fingernail-sized bivalve mollusks D-shaped shells with light and dark brown stripes Adults are usually 1-3 cm long (range 0.6-4.5 cm) Microscopic larvae and juveniles Byssal threads Tuft of hair-like filaments at hinge Used to attach to underwater surfaces Grow in clusters, firmly attached to submerged surfaces (like barnacles)

17. Manitoba Water Stewardship Manitoba Water Stewardship - Lake Winnipeg Why are zebra mussels a concern? Water quality impacts Increase in toxic algal blooms Reduced recreational potential Shift in the food web Economic impacts – property values, infrastructure, boaters, commercial fisheries Maintaining infrastructure such as clogged intake structures

18. Manitoba Water Stewardship Manitoba Water Stewardship - Lake Winnipeg Provincial Zebra Mussel Treatment Based on advice of a Science Advisory Committee, a treatment program was completed at the four infested harbours The harbours were curtained and liquid potash was applied at concentrations lethal to zebra mussels but not harmful to fin fish Next steps include: enhanced communication; additional monitoring; more decontamination units; and stronger regulation to reduce the risk.

19. Manitoba Water Stewardship Manitoba Water Stewardship - Lake Winnipeg Thank You